Additional Coverage:
- ‘Erratic’ masked Philly stalker finally caught by police after terrorizing residents downtown (irishstar.com)
A Philadelphia man wanted for terrorizing residents was apprehended Tuesday in Las Vegas after an extensive manhunt, authorities confirmed.
Zymire Hughes, 22, was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service and is currently being held at the Clark County Detention Center, pending extradition to Pennsylvania, according to a federal law enforcement statement.
Hughes is accused of frightening at least a dozen people in Center City over a span of more than 30 minutes on the morning of August 12. During the incidents, he reportedly wore a mask resembling the notorious fictional character Chucky, known as a serial killer doll.
Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Clark addressed the media, assuring Philadelphia residents that the ordeal has come to an end. “Tonight, the fear that one man brought to the Philadelphia community comes to an end,” Clark stated.
Investigators traced Hughes’ movements after he fled Philadelphia on August 19. He reportedly traveled from Trenton-Mercer Airport in New Jersey to Orlando, then on to Las Vegas.
Authorities located him at an apartment complex in southeast Las Vegas. Clark noted that although Hughes has lived in Las Vegas since February, he still has family ties in Philadelphia.
The case attracted attention last week when reports surfaced of a masked individual behaving erratically in the early morning hours in Center City. One incident involved Hughes entering a Dunkin’ Donuts around 5:20 a.m., where he was refused service due to his unusual behavior, Philadelphia Police Captain Jason Smith said at a press conference.
Following that, Hughes allegedly approached random people while recording the encounters. In one particularly disturbing incident, he reportedly harassed a female jogger, holding up a cellphone and asking her, “Are you ready to die?” The woman, visibly shaken, fled the scene but injured her leg in the process and called for help.
Authorities continue to investigate the full scope of Hughes’ actions, but his arrest marks a significant step toward restoring safety and peace of mind to the Philadelphia community.