The manhunt for a Michigan man who allegedly impersonated a utility worker to gain access to a couple’s home and killed the man while tying up his wife has come to an end. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office announced that a second suspect was captured, with the first suspect, Carlos Jose Hernandez, already in custody and charged with felony murder and unlawful imprisonment. The second suspect’s name and charges have not been released, but he was apprehended without incident in Plymouth Township. Police released Ring doorbell footage showing the suspects posing as energy workers with fake badges and a bogus work order to gain entry into the couple’s home, where they demanded money and jewelry from the victims. The woman was able to call 911, leading to the capture of the suspects, who fled with her belongings.
The suspects targeted the couple’s home in an upscale neighborhood in Rochester Hills, Detroit, due to their ownership of a jewelry and pawn shop, according to investigators. The couple was approached by the suspects on two separate occasions, with the fatal home invasion occurring on the second attempt. The woman was duct-taped and assaulted by one of the suspects, leading to her calling for help. Hussein Murray, the husband, was found dead in the basement with his ankles and wrists duct-taped. The suspects fled in a white pickup truck with a DTE energy decal, but were captured in two different states in the days following the crime. Authorities believe that the suspects had prior knowledge of valuables or money in the home, leading to the targeted attack.
The first suspect, Carlos Jose Hernandez, was captured in Louisiana after being spotted traveling south on Interstate 49 from Arkansas. He is also wanted in Ohio for an alleged armed robbery, and the U.S. Marshals Service has been involved in the case. The second suspect was taken into custody in Plymouth Township without incident. Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald authorized the highest charge against the suspects, which carries a mandatory life without parole sentence for their brutal crime. DTE Energy released a statement warning residents to be cautious of imposters posing as utility workers and to always verify the credentials of anyone claiming to be from the company.
The gruesome attack on the elderly couple in their home has sparked outrage and concern among the community, with authorities urging residents to be vigilant and cautious when allowing strangers into their homes. The company provided a phone number for residents to call and verify the credentials of any workers claiming to be from DTE Energy. The suspects in this case posed as utility workers to gain access to the couple’s home, leading to a tragic outcome. The woman was able to call for help, which ultimately led to the capture of the suspects. The investigation into the motives behind the home invasion and murder continues, with authorities working to bring justice to the victims and their families.
The manhunt for the suspects spanned multiple states, with law enforcement agencies working together to track down the individuals responsible for the heinous crime. The community has been reassured by the swift apprehension of the second suspect, with authorities working diligently to ensure that justice is served in this case. The violent nature of the crime has shocked and saddened the community, with residents urged to be cautious and vigilant in order to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The suspects’ actions have had a devastating impact on the victims and their families, highlighting the importance of safety and security in the face of potential threats from imposters and criminals.
