Updated on: August 25, 2026 / 10:25 PM EDT / CBS Philadelphia
A man accused of terrorizing at least six individuals near Philadelphia City Hall, wearing a Chucky-style mask, was arrested in Las Vegas. Authorities confirmed the arrest on Tuesday. Zymire Hughes, 22, was detained around 8 p.m. at a southeast Las Vegas apartment complex. He is currently held at the Clark County Detention Center, awaiting extradition to Philadelphia, as reported by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Law enforcement officials revealed that Hughes has lived in Las Vegas since February, though he has family connections in Philadelphia. It is believed that Hughes was visiting Philadelphia for several weeks before fleeing the city on August 19. His escape involved traveling from Trenton-Mercer Airport in New Jersey to Orlando, Florida, before taking a flight to Las Vegas.
“By hiding behind a Chucky-style Halloween mask, Hughes terrorized Philadelphia residents and believed he could evade law enforcement. He was wrong,” stated Robert Clark, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force. “His arrest should send a clear message: you can hide your face, but you can’t hide from the elite investigators of the U.S. Marshal Service.”
On August 12, Hughes allegedly chased and threatened six individuals around City Hall in Center City. The incidents reportedly occurred over a 15-minute period. Police indicated Hughes instigated the threats at roughly 5:18 a.m. at the intersection of 15th and Chestnut streets. Hughes approached several people, aiming to frighten and provoke them.
Approximately two minutes later, Hughes entered a Dunkin’ located on the 1500 block of Chestnut Street. Due to his masked appearance, service was refused. CCTV footage captured Hughes subsequently running towards people at the southwest corner of Penn Square at City Hall by 5:25 a.m.
The police further explained that Hughes pursued a man along the west side of 15th Street and confronted a jogging woman at 15th and Market streets. He allegedly stopped in front of her, asking ominously, “Are you ready to die?” The woman fled and sustained a leg injury. Following this event, Hughes escaped to Suburban Station.
According to Philadelphia Police Capt. Jason Smith, Hughes might have used a cellphone to record the incidents, illuminating the device during the acts. Hughes faces charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, and related offenses.
Locations involved include Pennsylvania, Center City, Las Vegas, and Philadelphia.