Man in Chucky-style mask terrorises Philadelphia residents

A man in a creepy doll mask has been terrorising Philadelphia residents, running up to them and making threats, police said.

The Philadelphia Police Department said on Tuesday it is searching for the suspect, who allegedly threatened and chased at least half a dozen people near City Hall last week.

The man, who surveillance video captured wearing a scary doll mask, asked a woman if she was "ready to die", police told the BBC's US media partner CBS.

Police released photos and a video of the suspect, seeking the public's help to identify him.

In an incident on 12 August, the man was captured on surveillance video chasing a woman on a morning run around 5:30 local time (10:30 BST).

The masked man made threatening comments while holding his hand behind his back, causing her to stumble and injure herself, police said.

The man appears to be filming the incidents, holding a cellphone with its light on, Philadelphia Police Department Captain Jason Smith told CBS.

It is unclear if the encounters are part of a social media trend, he said.