Man in doll-mask chases and threatens Philadelphia residents, police say
"It was just weird, like some twisted game."
A man donning an unsettling doll mask has been menacing Philadelphia locals by pursuing them and issuing threats, according to police.
The Philadelphia Police Department announced on Tuesday that they are actively searching for the individual, who is accused of threatening and chasing at least six people in the vicinity of City Hall last week.
Surveillance footage shows the man, wearing a disturbing doll mask, asking a woman if she was "ready to die," police informed CBS, the BBC's US media partner.
Authorities have disseminated photographs and a video of the suspect, appealing to the public for assistance in identifying him.
In an incident on August 12, surveillance video captured the man pursuing a woman during her morning run around 5:30 local time (10:30 BST).
The masked man uttered menacing remarks while keeping one hand behind his back, leading the woman to trip and sustain injuries, police reported.
He subsequently escaped into an underground rail station.
The man appears to be recording these encounters, holding a cellphone with its light activated, Philadelphia Police Department Captain Jason Smith told CBS.
It remains uncertain whether these incidents are linked to a social media trend, he added.
The suspect is facing charges including terroristic threats, simple assault, and other offenses, according to the police captain.
Luanda Marinho recounted to CBS her encounter with the masked man while meeting a friend for a morning run.
"He starts asking, 'Do you guys want to race me? I bet I am faster than you. Want to race me?' He asked a few times, but none of us acknowledged him. Very weird," Marinho described.
She stated that they are contemplating altering their running route. "It was just weird, like some twisted game."