A manhunt in Michigan has ended with the capture of a suspect who allegedly impersonated a utility worker to gain access to a couple’s home, resulting in the death of the husband and the tying up of his wife. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office announced that the second suspect has been captured following the killing of 72-year-old Hussein Murray in his Rochester Hills home. The first suspect, 37-year-old Carlos Jose Hernandez, was apprehended in Louisiana and charged with felony murder and unlawful imprisonment. Limited information was provided about the second suspect and the charges levied against him.
Police located the second suspect as he was traveling in Plymouth Township and took him into custody without incident. The suspects were seen in Ring doorbell footage wearing yellow fluorescent vests and masks while claiming to be from a local energy company checking for gas leaks. They had a fake work order and badges, which Murray signed before leading them into his basement. The suspects then demanded money and jewelry from Murray’s wife, duct-taped her, and hit her when she screamed. She managed to call 911, leading to the apprehension of the suspects as they tried to flee the scene with her phone and watch.
The couple owned a jewelry and pawn shop in the Detroit area, leading authorities to believe that the suspects may have had prior knowledge of valuable items inside the home. The suspects targeted the couple on Friday after unsuccessfully attempting to gain entry the previous day. The woman was briefly hospitalized after the incident, while Murray was found dead in the basement with duct-taped wrists and ankles. The suspects fled in a white pickup truck with a DTE energy decal, and there is a warrant for Hernandez’s arrest in Ohio in connection with an alleged armed robbery.
The U.S. Marshals Service joined the investigation, and Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald authorized charges carrying a mandatory life without parole sentence for the brutal crime. DTE Energy issued a warning to residents about imposters posing as utility workers and advised people to check the credentials of anyone claiming to be from the company by calling the official phone number. The company stressed the importance of asking to see a badge with photo ID and not allowing anyone inside who refuses to show proper identification. The case is ongoing with a focus on determining what led the suspects to target the couple at that specific moment.
The community was reassured as the second suspect was captured and taken into custody following the violent home invasion that resulted in the death of Hussein Murray and the assault on his wife. The suspects posed as utility workers to gain access to the couple’s home, where they demanded money and jewelry before fleeing with stolen items. The tragic incident led to a swift response from law enforcement, resulting in the arrest of the suspects and charges being filed against them. The involvement of multiple agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service, highlights the seriousness of the case and the commitment to bringing those responsible to justice. Residents were urged to remain vigilant and verify the identity of anyone claiming to be from a utility company before allowing them access to their homes.