A man wearing a Chucky doll mask is on the run after allegedly terrorising pedestrians and joggers in Philadelphia. The suspect, named as Zymire Hughes, 22, is believed to have left Pennsylvania state with packed bags two nights ago.
One jogger, a 40-year-old woman, seriously injured her leg after the masked man chased her before allegedly asking 'are you ready to die?' while holding up his phone. She ran away screaming for help, causing her to trip and fall, according to the city's police captain, Jason Smith.
Victim needs extensive medical treatment
The woman will likely need 'extensive medical treatment' for her injuries, Smith said. She is one of around 16 people believed to have been approached by the suspect attempting to harass them while wearing a 'Chucky-style Halloween mask.' She is the only victim to have come forward so far.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said during a press conference: 'There is nobody in the world who should be trying to imitate what this scared man, who's running, is doing now.'
Suspect linked to Las Vegas and Los Angeles
Krasner added: 'He's a punk. I mean, that's the bottom line. He's a punk who scared a lot of people for no good reason, and we're not going to tolerate it.' Hughes has links to Las Vegas, Nevada, and Los Angeles, California, according to authorities.
Krasner also said: 'Who's scared now? Who's running now?'
CCTV capture and charges
The masked suspect was captured on the underground train's CCTV carrying a blue backpack. He was confronted by the transport police, who asked him to take off the mask, according to Captain Smith.
Referring to the killer doll character from the horror movie franchise 'Child's Play,' Smith said: 'Underneath that Chucky-style Halloween mask, he's got a black Covid-style mask underneath of that, which he never removes.'
He is wanted on felony and misdemeanour charges related to the woman's case, who was approached by a masked stranger at about 5.30am on Wednesday, August 12.
