A elderly man from Rochester Hills, Michigan, was brutally murdered in his home by two men posing as utility workers.
Elderly man slain in utility scam
The suspects, pretending to be employees of Detroit Edison Energy Company (DTE), used the scam to gain entry to the couple’s residence.
The victim, 72-year-old Hussein Murray, was discovered dead in the basement of his upscale home, his hands and feet bound with duct tape.
His wife, who is also 72 years old, survived the attack but was found tied up with duct tape as well. She managed to call for help after the suspects fled the scene.
The attack occurred last Friday evening, and by Saturday, one of the suspects, identified as 37-year-old Carlos Jose Hernandez from Dearborn, Michigan, had been apprehended in Louisiana.
Hernandez was located on Interstate 49 at LA Hwy 169 by local law enforcement. He was taken into custody without incident and is now facing charges of felony murder, unlawful imprisonment, and other related offenses. Authorities are still searching for his accomplice, who remains at large.
How fake utility workers broke into a home
The horrific crime began when two men, dressed as DTE utility workers, arrived at the Murrays’ home on Thursday, claiming they were there to check for a gas leak.
Wearing reflective yellow vests, face masks, and carrying clipboards, the men appeared legitimate enough to fool the elderly couple. However, Hussein Murray refused to let them inside his home on the first visit.
The pair returned the following day, more persistent in their approach. This time, they convinced Murray to let them in with a signed document they claimed was from DTE, which allowed them to enter the home.
Murray escorted one of the men into the basement, likely believing that they were there to inspect for gas leaks as they claimed, and was never seen alive again.
According to court documents, the men demanded Murray’s wife reveal the location of the couple’s valuables.
They then beat and restrained her, duct-taping her wrists, ankles, and mouth before taking her phone to prevent her from calling for help.
The suspects proceeded to ransack the home for valuables and eventually fled in a truck with a DTE logo.
After the suspects left, Murray’s wife managed to free herself from her restraints enough to call 911.
When officers from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office arrived, they found Hussein Murray’s lifeless body in the basement. He, too, had been bound with duct tape, and his death was quickly ruled a homicide.
Due to the severity of the injuries, authorities have not yet confirmed whether Murray was shot or beaten to death. The exact cause of death will be determined following a more thorough forensic examination.
The wife was taken to the hospital, where she remained briefly in stable condition, before being released.
Suspect arrested for murder of elderly man
The investigation swiftly led police to Carlos Hernandez, who was tracked down in Louisiana.
Hernandez was arrested and booked into the Caddo Correctional Center in Louisiana, where he awaits extradition to Michigan.
He is charged with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment and could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard praised law enforcement for their quick action in locating Hernandez but stressed that the second suspect remains at large.
“We are looking for the public’s help – anyone who may have seen something, anything,” Bouchard said, urging the public to provide any information that might assist in identifying or locating the accomplice.
DTE Energy, the company the suspects claimed to represent, has since issued a statement warning customers to be vigilant about scammers.
“Our hearts go out to the victims of this horrific and tragic event, and we hope the perpetrators are quickly apprehended and brought to justice,” the statement read.
DTE noted that all employees carry photo IDs and that customers should immediately call the police if they suspect someone is impersonating a utility worker.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald is planning to hit Hernandez and his accomplice with the most sever punishment she can.
“This was a gruesome attack on an elderly couple in their home. I have authorized the highest charge which carries a mandatory life without parole sentence for this brutal crime,” McDonald said.
“My office will work diligently to ensure that this individual is held accountable and that the public is safe from violent predators.”
