A bizarre and frightening series of encounters in Philadelphia has taken a new turn after police identified the man accused of chasing and threatening pedestrians while wearing a mask resembling the horror character Chucky.

Authorities identified the suspect as 22-year-old Zymire Hughes, who is now wanted on an active arrest warrant. Police believe he may have left Pennsylvania and could have connections to California and Nevada.

The disturbing incidents happened on the morning of August 12, when Hughes allegedly approached multiple people around Philadelphia’s City Hall area while wearing a white baby-doll-style Halloween mask with dark hair and carrying a black-and-blue plaid backpack.

Investigators believe at least six people were targeted during a series of encounters lasting roughly 20 minutes. Police say the masked man appeared to be recording some of the interactions on his phone, although it remains unclear whether the incidents were intended to create social-media content.

A Terrifying Encounter With a Jogger
One of the most frightening encounters involved a 40-year-old woman who was jogging near 15th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard at around 5:30 a.m.

According to police, the masked man began chasing her while making threatening remarks and allegedly asked her, “Are you ready to die?”

The woman ran away screaming for help but was injured during the escape. Police said she suffered a serious leg injury that required medical treatment.

Surveillance footage reportedly captured portions of the encounter, giving investigators important evidence as they worked to identify the suspect.

Another Woman Stepped In
The frightening situation might have escalated further if another woman had not intervened.

A bystander identified as Jameka said she noticed the masked man following the jogger and tried to warn her.

When the suspect turned his attention toward Jameka, she screamed for help and ultimately kicked him in the chest.

She later said the man appeared confused and seemed uncertain about what he was trying to accomplish.

Police Say Hughes May Have Targeted Others
Before the encounter with the jogger, the masked man had reportedly been seen approaching other pedestrians and attempting to frighten or antagonize them.

Police said he was denied service at a coffee shop because of his behavior and was later seen around the City Hall area. Investigators believe he approached several people in quick succession.

The Philadelphia Police Department has described the incidents as a series of alleged ᴀssaults and threatening encounters.

An Arrest Warrant Has Been Issued
Police have now identified Hughes and issued an active arrest warrant.

Authorities say he may have fled Pennsylvania and has ties to California and Nevada. The Philadelphia Police Department is working with the U.S. Marshals Service in an effort to locate him and bring him back to Philadelphia.

Hughes could face multiple charges, including terroristic threats, simple ᴀssault and intimidation, among other related offenses.

Police are urging members of the public not to approach Hughes if they see him and instead contact authorities.

What initially appeared to be a bizarre encounter involving someone wearing a horror-movie mask has now become an active manhunt, leaving investigators searching for answers about why the incidents occurred and whether other people may have been targeted.

For the woman who was chased that morning, however, the experience was anything but a prank. What began as an unsettling sight on an early-morning Philadelphia street quickly became a terrifying struggle to get away.

Source: People