U.S. Marshals arrested 22‑year‑old Zymire Hughes on Tuesday in Las Vegas, ending a multi‑state pursuit that began after he terrorized pedestrians near Philadelphia’s City Hall while wearing a horror‑movie style mask.
Philadelphia incident
According to Robert Clark of the U.S. Marshals Service, Hughes was staying with family in Philadelphia for several weeks in early August. During that time he walked the streets around City Hall, chasing, harassing and threatening passersby while concealed behind a Chucky‑style mask. The unsettling behavior prompted multiple police reports and a public alert.
Flight to the West
After the Philadelphia incidents, Hughes left the city on August 19. He traveled to Trenton, New Jersey, where he boarded a flight to Orlando, Florida. From Orlando he caught another flight to Las Vegas, Nevada. Investigators later learned that Hughes had obtained a Nevada driver’s license in February and maintained a girlfriend in the city.
Las Vegas manhunt
Following the national news coverage, Hughes moved from his initial lodging to an apartment complex on the southeast side of Las Vegas, where he remained for roughly five days. U.S. Marshals conducted discreet surveillance of the complex, monitoring his movements while coordinating with local law‑enforcement partners.
When Hughes emerged from the building, Marshals officers approached and took him into custody. He questioned the officers about the reason for his arrest and the use of handcuffs. After a brief struggle, officials were able to subdue him and place him in a police vehicle.
Next steps
Hughes is now being held at the Clark County Detention Center. He faces extradition to Pennsylvania, where authorities will likely pursue charges related to the harassment, intimidation and any other offenses stemming from his masked conduct near City Hall.
The case underscores the cooperation between federal marshals and local police across state lines, demonstrating how swift inter‑agency communication can bring a potentially dangerous individual to justice.
Community response
Philadelphia residents expressed relief that the suspect was apprehended, while Las Vegas officials praised the diligent work of the U.S. Marshals Service. Both cities reiterated their commitment to public safety and urged anyone witnessing suspicious behavior to report it promptly.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
