On October 11th, a tragic home invasion and murder took place in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. Surveillance footage from a doorbell camera captured two suspects dressed in gas company uniforms entering the home.
On October 14th, the Michigan police announced the arrest of two individuals who allegedly posed as gas company employees to commit the crime. According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, 37-year-old Carlos Jose Hernandez was arrested on the 12th in Louisiana on murder charges, and authorities are working to extradite him back to Michigan for trial. A second suspect was apprehended on the 14th, though authorities have not yet released their name. The arrest occurred during a traffic stop in Plymouth Township, Michigan.
The police discovered the body of 72-year-old homeowner Hussein Murray in the basement of his luxury home in Rochester Hills. His wife was found bound and gagged but managed to escape and call 911 for help. The exact cause of Murray’s death remains unclear at this time.
In their statement, the sheriff’s office acknowledged the brutal nature of the crime, stating, “Due to the horrific conditions of the scene, it is unclear whether he was shot or bludgeoned to death.”
The victim’s wife reported that the suspects had visited their home the day before under the pretense of checking for a gas leak, but the couple did not allow them inside. On October 11th, when the suspects returned and were permitted entry by Murray, they led him to the basement, seemingly to inspect for a gas leak.
Afterwards, when the suspects returned to the first floor, Murray was nowhere to be found. They then bound and gagged his wife. Initially, she thought her husband might still be upstairs and had simply been taken.
Surveillance video from the home showed the suspects wearing gas company uniforms and masks, carrying clipboards as they claimed to be employees of DTE Energy, there to inspect for gas leaks.
In light of this unfortunate incident, DTE issued a warning to their customers to be vigilant against impostors claiming to be DTE employees. “If someone arrives at your home or business claiming to be a DTE representative, ask for identification that includes their name and photo. If they refuse to show identification, do not let them in,” the company advised. “If the person seems agitated or behaves strangely, call 911 immediately.”
Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard described Murray as “a caring individual who was successful in business and deeply concerned for his neighbors and community.”
