Philadelphia Masked Assault Suspect Zymire Hughes Sought After City Hall Chase

Police say suspect may have traveled from Pennsylvania after early-morning incident

PHILADELPHIA — Police in Philadelphia are searching for 22-year-old Zymire Hughes, who is accused of chasing and threatening a 40-year-old woman near City Hall in the early hours of Aug. 12 while wearing a white face mask. Authorities say the woman fell during the encounter and was injured.

The incident occurred at about 5:30 a.m. in downtown Philadelphia, across from City Hall, according to the Philadelphia Police Department. Investigators said the man made threatening remarks while keeping one hand behind his back, prompting the woman to flee. Police did not say what, if anything, the suspect may have had in his hand.

Authorities later identified the suspect as Hughes. Police said he left the area and went to a City Center station on Philadelphia’s rail system after the confrontation. An active warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Authorities cite possible California and Nevada connections

Police believe Hughes may no longer be in Pennsylvania. Capt. Jason Smith told a local news outlet that Hughes has connections to California, including the Los Angeles area, as well as Las Vegas, Nevada.

“He has a tendency to travel back and forth to the West Coast, California, the L.A. area, but also Las Vegas ... for employment reasons,” Smith said.

The Philadelphia Police Department is working with the U.S. Marshals Service in an effort to locate Hughes. The case highlights the added challenge investigators face when a wanted suspect may move regularly between states, requiring coordination among local and federal law-enforcement agencies.

Before Hughes was identified, police released surveillance images and video in an effort to identify the person seen near the scene. The images showed a man wearing a white face mask, black clothing and a blue backpack.

Woman injured while escaping, police say

Police have not released details about the woman’s injuries or said whether she required hospital treatment. Authorities also have not disclosed a possible motive for the alleged threats or chase.

The allegation centers on an encounter in one of Philadelphia’s busiest civic and transit areas, near City Hall, although it happened before the morning rush. The location is a prominent downtown hub surrounded by government offices, rail connections and pedestrian traffic.

Hughes remains wanted as the search continues. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Philadelphia police or local law enforcement rather than approach him directly.