Carlos Jose Hernandez, a man from Dearborn, Michigan, was caught posing as a utility worker to gain entrance to a Michigan house in Rochester Hills, a Detroit suburb. He and another man, both wearing masks and yellow fluorescent vests, claimed to be from a local energy company and were checking for gas leaks. They had a phony work order and fake ID badges. Hernandez was arrested in Louisiana and charged with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment in connection with the gruesome attack that led to the death of Hussein Murray, 72, and the tying up of his wife. The second suspect in the video remains unidentified.
The suspects arrived at the house on two occasions, first being turned away at 10 p.m. and then being let in at 10 a.m. The wife was tied up, duct-taped, and beaten, while the suspects searched the house for money and jewelry. Murray was found dead in the basement with his wrists and ankles duct-taped. The wife managed to escape and call 911, leading to Hernandez’s arrest. The couple owned a jewelry and pawn shop in Detroit, and police believe the suspects may have targeted the house due to prior knowledge of valuables or money.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald authorized the highest charge of felony murder against Hernandez, which carries a mandatory life without parole sentence. Unlawful imprisonment is also a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. DTE Energy released a statement warning people against allowing imposters into their homes and advised asking for photo ID badges from anyone claiming to be from the company. The company also warned against allowing entry if the person refuses to show their badge.
The Murray family expressed their heartbreak over Hussein Murray’s death and said they would bond together through the tragedy. The wife was briefly hospitalized but managed to call for help. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard described the attack as gruesome and brutal, emphasizing the severity of the crime. Hernandez faced additional charges in Ohio in connection with an alleged armed robbery. The suspects left the house in a white pickup truck with a DTE Energy sign.
A manhunt continues for the second suspect seen in the doorbell camera footage. Hernandez was apprehended in Louisiana after being spotted traveling from Arkansas. The prosecutor’s office stated that Murray signed a fake work order and escorted the suspects to the basement, leading to the violent attack. The suspects demanded money and jewelry from the wife before duct-taping her and assaulting her. Authorities are investigating what led the suspects to target the particular house and what they expected to find there.
The case of Carlos Jose Hernandez highlights the danger of imposters posing as utility workers to gain access to homes and commit crimes. The violent attack on the elderly couple has shocked the community, and law enforcement officials are working to bring justice for the victims. The highest charge of felony murder carries a severe penalty of life without parole, reflecting the seriousness of the crime. The investigation continues to uncover more details about the suspects and their motives in targeting the house in Rochester Hills.
