Philadelphia jogger chased by masked suspect near City Hall

A single female runner found herself in a terrifying chase as she laced up for an early morning jog through Philadelphia. A man wearing a Chucky doll mask pursued her down the streets near City Hall around 5:30am last Wednesday. Police are now on the hunt for this suspect accused of stalking the 40-year-old woman.

Video footage released by officers shows the masked figure running right behind the jogger as she crossed an intersection. She spun around trying to shake him, yet he simply altered his path and kept coming. Another camera captured her sprinting down a wide five-lane road with the suspect trailing close on her heels. He could not quite catch up but shifted routes, crossing multiple lanes of traffic and moving onto the right-hand sidewalk while she kept jogging ahead.

The manhunt focuses on a young black male described as standing 5ft 8in tall. Authorities believe he is between 16 and 20 years old. Police say this individual has allegedly terrorized numerous people in the community, laughing at his victims and asking them if they are 'ready to die.'

The nightmare did not stop after the first incident. A second victim, who asked not to share her last name but is known as Jameka to the news outlet, told WPVI that the man approached her with a cell phone in hand just moments after chasing another woman. 'I started to wave at her from across the intersection and say, Hey, there's someone behind you look behind her,' she claimed. She heard me, and then she started to run away.

After being denied entry into a local coffee shop, the suspect turned his attention toward Jameka. The alleged victim screamed don't follow me and raised her hands in a fighting stance. I blocked my face making sure my centerline was protected. And then he also started to put his hands up but I could tell that he'd never been in a fight before. Jameka says the suspect appeared disoriented and claims he bolted after she kicked him.

She noted he seemed to be filming these horrific encounters on his phone throughout the ordeal. Investigators have released several photos showing him sporting the Chucky mask and carrying a blue plaid backpack. They also provided one image without the distinctive face covering, though most of his face remains obscured by a balaclava even there.

Officers warn that once apprehended, this suspect will face several serious charges. Anyone with information about his identity or current whereabouts is asked to call Philadelphia police at 215-686-8477.