A man who tried to break into a Michigan home last week posing as a utility worker has been charged with killing a man and tying up his wife in a “grisly” attack, prosecutors announced Sunday.
Carlos Jose Hernandez, 37, of Dearborn, Michigan, was arrested in Louisiana and charged with felony murder and two counts of false imprisonment, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office announced Sunday.
The sheriff’s office announced Monday that a second suspect, a man whose name has not been released, was arrested in Michigan in connection with the murder.
Authorities on Friday released doorbell camera footage of Hernandez and another man wearing masks and yellow fluorescent vests claiming to be from a local energy company and asking to enter a home in the Detroit suburb of Rochester Hills. “We’re DTE, we’re checking for gas leaks,” Hernandez is heard saying.
Sadly, prosecutors say, the pair kept fake work orders and fake ID badges on their clipboards.
According to the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Hernandez was arrested Saturday in Shreveport, Louisiana after he was spotted heading south on Interstate 49 from Arkansas. There is also a warrant out for his arrest in Ohio in connection with an armed robbery charge.
A search for the second person involved was underway. The suspect was arrested by the Fugitive Apprehension Team in Plymouth Township, Michigan, about 30 miles southwest of Rochester Hills, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
The man who was killed was Hussein Murray (72).
Murray’s family said in a statement: “While we are saddened by the news of his death, our family will grow stronger through this grief with the determination he taught us by being human.” Ta.
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement that Murray signed papers the suspects claimed were construction orders and took them to the basement.
“Shortly thereafter, the defendant and another man arrived and asked the female victim where the money and jewelry were,” prosecutors said.
“They put duct tape around her wrists and ankles. At some point she started screaming and the defendant punched her in the face.”
Authorities said the defendant and another suspect searched the woman’s home and took her cell phone and watch. Murray was found dead in the basement with duct tape wrapped around his wrists and ankles.
Murray’s wife raised the alarm, managed to access his phone and called 911. She was briefly hospitalized after the ordeal.
“She was actually in the kitchen area and was able to free herself enough to get her phone,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard told NBC News.
Authorities said two men arrived at the home at 10 p.m. Thursday but were turned away. When we arrived at 10am, we were allowed inside. Officials said the two left in a white pickup truck with a DTE Energy sign.
Police believe the two suspects may have targeted the house because they knew valuables and money were there. Investigators said the couple owned a jewelry store and a pawnshop in Detroit.
“What forced them into that door at that particular tragic moment will be an ongoing part of our investigation, Bouchard said.”
“This was a horrific attack on an elderly couple in their home,” said Oakland County Prosecutor Karen MacDonald. “I have pleaded guilty to the maximum penalty for this brutal crime, which carries a sentence of life in prison without parole.”
Felony murder is punishable by life in prison without parole, while false imprisonment is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
DTE Energy warned people not to let scammers into their homes.
“If someone shows up at your home or business and says they’re from DTE, ask to see a badge with photo ID. If the person refuses to show your badge,” the company said in a statement. If so, please don’t go inside.”
You can also verify employee credentials by calling DTE at 800-477-4747.
