A masked maniac dressed like the murderous doll from the horror classic Child’s Play terrorized early-morning passersby near Philadelphia City Hall last week, chasing a female jogger while repeatedly asking if she was “ready to die.”
The young suspect, described by cops as a Black male between 16 and 20 years old, about 5-foot-8 with a thin build, spent roughly 15 to 20 minutes on the morning of Aug. 12 running up to people, filming them on his cellphone and scaring the daylights out of them while sporting a distinctive Chucky-style Halloween mask.
Philadelphia Police Capt. Jason Smith said the nightmare began around 5:18 a.m. near 15th and Chestnut streets. The creep first popped into a Dunkin’ Donuts but was refused service because of the mask and his erratic behavior. He then headed toward City Hall, confronting multiple people in a short span.
Surveillance video shows the masked figure chasing a man in a reflective vest before zeroing in on a woman who was out for a jog near 15th and Market streets.
“He’s holding his cell phone up in front of her, at which time he asks her ‘Are you ready to die?’” Smith told reporters. The terrified woman screamed for help and took off running. She later injured her leg during the ordeal.
Police say the suspect went after at least half a dozen people, most of whom have not yet come forward, during the chaotic window. At one point he pulled the creepy white doll mask down, revealing a black face covering underneath. He was last seen ducking into Suburban Station around 5:35 a.m.
There is no indication the man was armed, though investigators noted he kept one hand behind his back while issuing the death threat to the jogger. Once caught, he faces a laundry list of charges including terroristic threats, harassment, simple assault, reckless endangerment and intimidation.
“It’s really unsettling just trying to get to work and have a kid like this actively terrorizing women,” one nearby coffee shop worker said. “I really hope he is caught.”
Cops released images and video of the masked menace and are urging anyone with information, or anyone else who was targeted, to call the tip line at 215-686-TIPS. As of Tuesday, the Chucky-mask creep remains on the loose.
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