A man accused of assaulting and terrorizing Philadelphia residents while wearing a Chucky-style Halloween mask has been arrested in Las Vegas following a multistate search. Zymire Hughes, 22, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals at a southeast Las Vegas apartment complex.
Chucky Mask Suspect Arrested in Las Vegas
Philadelphia police declared Hughes wanted after a series of encounters near City Hall on August 12. Authorities said he allegedly approached, chased, and frightened multiple pedestrians while wearing a distinctive baby-doll-style mask.
The incidents unfolded in Center City during the early morning hours. According to Philadelphia police, Hughes allegedly approached several people over a period lasting more than 30 minutes. One woman reportedly fell and injured herself while trying to get away from him.
The unusual appearance of the mask helped draw public attention to the case. Images circulated online showing a man wearing a cracked, baby-faced mask that authorities and news outlets have described as resembling Chucky, the horror character from the “Child’s Play” franchise.
Philadelphia police later identified Hughes as the man they were seeking. An arrest warrant was issued on August 19, charging him with aggravated assault, terroristic threats and simple assault, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
The investigation then expanded beyond Pennsylvania. Authorities learned that Hughes had left the Philadelphia area and could have connections in Nevada. According to the Marshals Service, he had been living in Las Vegas since February and had family in Philadelphia.
How Authorities Found the Philadelphia Masked Man
Investigators determined that Hughes left Pennsylvania on August 19. He traveled from Trenton-Mercer Airport in New Jersey to Orlando, Florida, before continuing to Las Vegas, according to federal authorities.
The U.S. Marshals Service then coordinated with its Philadelphia and Nevada teams to locate him. Investigators eventually developed information that Hughes was staying at an apartment complex in southeast Las Vegas.
On August 25, members of the Nevada Violent Offender Task Force conducted surveillance at the location. Authorities said Hughes was arrested at about 8 p.m. after he came out of the apartment. He was taken to the Clark County Detention Center, where he remained in custody pending extradition proceedings to Pennsylvania.
Robert Clark, a supervisory deputy U.S. marshal, said the arrest ended the search for Hughes. The case involved cooperation between law enforcement agencies across state lines. FOX5 also reported that the search followed Hughes’ flight from Pennsylvania through Florida and into Nevada.
Hughes Faces Charges in Philadelphia
Hughes now faces the Philadelphia charges connected to the August incidents. The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office has also asked anyone who believes they encountered the masked man to come forward. Prosecutors said additional charges could be considered as investigators review the case.
Hughes appeared before a Las Vegas judge on August 27, where he agreed to return to Pennsylvania. The judge further ordered that he be returned within 30 days to face the charges there.
