Zymire Hughes, 22, the suspect accused of terrorizing Philadelphia residents while wearing a creepy “Chucky” doll-style Halloween mask, has been arrested in Nevada. Authorities announced Tuesday that Hughes was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service Nevada Violent Offender Task Force at about 8 p.m. in Las Vegas. He is currently being held at the Clark County Detention Center pending extradition to Pennsylvania.
Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Clark
連邦保安官補のRobert Clark氏は、この男がフィラデルフィアの地域社会にもたらした恐怖は今夜をもって終焉を迎えたと述べた。Clark氏によると、捜査当局はHughes容疑者の足取りを追い、ラスベガス南東部のアパートを特定した。同容疑者はそこへ約5日間潜伏していたとみられている。Clark氏は、先週の金曜日から捜査に着手し、週末も休まず追跡を続けた結果、本日ようやくすべての事象が結びつき、容疑者を追い詰めることができたと語った。またClark氏は、Hughes容疑者がチャッキー風のハロウィンマスクで顔を隠し、フィラデルフィアの住民を脅かして法執行機関から逃げ切れると考えていたようだが、それは間違いだったと付け加えた。
The investigation into the spree began after Hughes allegedly terrorized residents in Center City during the early morning hours. Philadelphia Police Capt. Jason Smith stated during a briefing that Hughes encountered as many as 15 or 16 people on the morning of August 15. The first incident occurred around 5:01 a.m. at 10th and Chestnut. Police say the suspect was seen running up to victims and attempting to scare or antagonize
them while wearing the distinctive mask. The terror reportedly culminated after he was seen exiting SEPTA’s Suburban Station just before 6 a.m.
Capt. Smith and District Attorney Larry Krasner
In one of the most severe incidents, the masked suspect approached a woman jogging near City Hall. According to Capt. Smith, the suspect asked the woman, Are you ready to die?
The victim ran away screaming for help, causing her to suffer a severe leg injury during the ordeal. Smith氏は、被害者の女性は自身の理解では広範囲にわたる治療が必要な状態であると述べた。Police noted that the suspect also fled after regional transit police in a train station contacted him and ordered him to remove his mask.
Authorities believe the motive behind the harassment was a desire for social media attention. Smith警部は、Hughes容疑者が純粋にソーシャルメディアのコンテンツを作る目的で犯行に及んだと考えており、自身の歪んだ個人的な娯楽のためか、あるいは将来的にオンラインへ投稿して収益化を図る計画があったのではないかと推測した。Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner addressed the suspect directly during a news conference, stating: フィラデルフィア地方検事のLarry Krasner氏は、人を怖がらせることを面白いと思っているのなら、我々が用意した手錠と留置場、そしてそれが全く面白くないことを思い知らせるフィラデルフィアの陪審員によって、今度は君自身が恐怖を味わうことになるだろうと容疑者に向けて直接語りかけた。
Harry Reid International Airport
Following the incidents, investigators followed a trail via security cameras that led to an apartment building where they say Hughes lived. Three people identified the masked suspect as Hughes. Shortly after, police were tipped off that Hughes had packed his bags and fled. Investigators determined he left Philadelphia on Aug. 19, first flying from Trenton-Mercer Airport to Orlando, Florida, before taking a subsequent flight to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
District Attorney Krasner confirmed that an arrest warrant was issued based on allegations of felony and misdemeanor assault. He noted that Hughes was on probation at the time of the incidents and that more charges could be outlined following his arrest. Booking information from the Clark County Detention Center shows Hughes in custody with no bail, with a hearing scheduled for Thursday morning. It remains unclear whether he has legal counsel, as public defender’s offices in both Clark County and Philadelphia did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Police believe the masked man may have behaved in this manner before and have requested that any other potential victims come forward. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities prepare to bring Hughes back to Pennsylvania to face the charges.