The man accused of terrorizing and threatening people in downtown Philadelphia last week while wearing a mask modeled after the horror character Chucky could be in the Los Angeles area, law enforcement officials announced Thursday.
Zymire Hughes, 22, has work and personal ties to the Los Angeles area and may already be there, according to FOX Los Angeles. Surveillance video reportedly showed Hughes packing his bags and leaving his apartment complex this week. Investigators believe Hughes, who frequently travels between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, could be in the Southern California region.
Law enforcement agencies in Southern California and Nevada are monitoring transportation hubs and following up on any reported sightings of Hughes. He is wanted by the Philadelphia Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service, though his current whereabouts remain undetermined.
Hughes was identified Thursday as the suspect who allegedly approached, chased, and threatened several individuals in Philadelphia in the early morning hours of Aug. 12, while filming the encounters with a cellphone. He was on probation at the time and now faces felony and misdemeanor assault charges stemming from the incidents.
In one instance, Hughes allegedly asked a 40-year-old female jogger, "Are you ready to die?" while concealing his hand behind his back, prompting her to flee. Police reported she sustained a leg injury requiring extensive treatment.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner stated that Hughes was attempting to scare people and that authorities would not tolerate such actions. Investigators suspect Hughes may have been attempting to create social media content for monetization. Philadelphia Police Capt. Jason Smith noted that Hughes did not physically assault anyone or brandish a weapon, although his actions, such as holding his arm behind his back, implied he might have one.