LAS VEGAS, Nev. — A two-week manhunt for a man accused of terrorizing Philadelphia residents while wearing a Chucky-style mask has come to an end after federal agents tracked him down in Las Vegas.
Zymire Hughes, 22, was arrested around 8 p.m. Tuesday at an apartment complex in the southeastern part of Las Vegas, according to officials. Members of the U.S. Marshals Violent Offender Fugitive Task Force located him after investigators spent days searching for the suspect.
Hughes was arrested on an out-of-state warrant connected to the alleged aggravated assault of a 40-year-old woman on Aug. 12 in Philadelphia.
“Tonight the fear that one man brought to the Philadelphia community comes to an end,” U.S. Marshals Service Supervisory Deputy Robert Clark said.
Clark said Hughes believed disguising himself with a Chucky-style Halloween mask would allow him to avoid being identified.
“He was wrong,” Clark said.
Masked Man Allegedly Terrorized Philadelphia
The nationwide search began after Hughes allegedly went on a frightening spree near Philadelphia City Hall on Aug. 12.
Officials said the masked suspect allegedly threatened at least six people within a span of roughly 15 minutes.
The first reported incident occurred around 5:20 a.m., when Hughes allegedly entered a Dunkin’ store. A worker refused to serve him because he was reportedly acting erratically.
The situation escalated soon afterward.
Surveillance footage allegedly captured the masked man chasing a female jogger while making threatening remarks. According to police, Hughes had his hands hidden behind his back as he pursued the woman.
At one point, he allegedly asked her, “Are you ready to die?” The woman tried to escape but fell to the ground and suffered an injury, police said.
Investigators later identified Hughes as the person allegedly behind the frightening encounters and obtained an arrest warrant charging him with aggravated assault.
Suspect Fled Philadelphia for Las Vegas
After authorities launched their search, Hughes reportedly left Philadelphia on Aug. 19. Investigators believed he could have fled to either California or Nevada because of his connections to both states.
Hughes had reportedly moved into a Las Vegas apartment with his girlfriend in February. However, when he returned to Las Vegas after the Philadelphia incidents, he allegedly stayed somewhere other than his own residence.
Authorities said Hughes took a complicated route back west. He reportedly boarded a flight from Trenton, New Jersey, to Orlando, Florida, before catching another flight to Las Vegas.
Once back in Nevada, he allegedly stayed at a separate apartment complex for several days after his face and alleged actions had been featured in news reports.
Officials said Hughes had been hiding at the location for about five days before federal agents tracked him down.
U.S. Marshals Track Down Hughes
The U.S. Marshals Violent Offender Fugitive Task Force eventually established surveillance around the suspected apartment complex.
At approximately 8 p.m. Tuesday, agents moved in and arrested Hughes.
“Marshals established surveillance in the suspected complex today and at 8 p.m., Hughes was arrested without incident,” Clark said.
Officials said Hughes attempted to escape during the arrest, but U.S. Marshals stopped him. Clark described Hughes as unhappy about being taken into custody.
“He was not a happy man being brought into custody,” Clark said.
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Hughes is now being held at the Clark County Detention Center while he awaits extradition to Pennsylvania.
Hughes Faces Multiple Charges
The arrest warrant stems from the alleged aggravated assault, but Hughes faces several additional charges.
Authorities said he is facing allegations including aggravated assault, terroristic threats, possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault and reckless endangerment of another person, along with other related offenses.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said authorities would not dismiss the alleged conduct as a joke or harmless behavior.
“We take it very seriously any time someone thinks it is funny or entertaining to terrorize and harass individuals in any neighborhood,” Krasner said.
He added that Hughes’ alleged actions would have consequences regardless of his motive.
“Regardless of his motive, his actions demonstrate that he is a punk and will not be tolerated. He will be caught and held accountable for his crimes.”
With Hughes now in custody, the two-week search has ended, but the legal case against him is only beginning. He is expected to be extradited to Pennsylvania, where he will face the charges stemming from the alleged Philadelphia incidents.
What do you think about the suspect’s alleged actions and the nationwide manhunt that followed? Share your thoughts in the comments.