Michigan Man Murdered by Fake Utility Workers

A manhunt is underway after a Michigan couple fell victim to a horrifying crime, leaving one dead and a community shaken. 🌐 #News #DetroitMI #Michigan #Crime

DETROIT, MI – A shocking crime has sent waves of fear through an upscale Detroit, Michigan neighborhood after two men, posing as utility workers, allegedly gained entry into a couple’s home, tied up the wife, and murdered her husband. One suspect has been captured, but the hunt for the second continues.

Suspect Arrested in Louisiana, Charged With Murder

Carlos Jose Hernandez, 37, from Dearborn, Michigan, was apprehended over the weekend in Shreveport, Louisiana, following a multi-state manhunt. Hernandez is facing felony murder charges, as well as two counts of unlawful imprisonment.

His arrest came after law enforcement in Louisiana stopped him during a traffic stop on Interstate 49. Deputies were tipped off that Hernandez was driving southbound from Arkansas. Authorities confirmed that Hernandez had an outstanding warrant for armed robbery in Ohio in addition to his connection to the Michigan homicide.

Hernandez is now awaiting extradition to Michigan, where he will face charges related to the brutal crime.

A Grisly Discovery Inside a Rochester Hills Home

On Friday, Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies responded to an emergency call from a distressed woman in an “upscale” Rochester Hills neighborhood. She told authorities that two men, pretending to be utility workers from DTE Energy, had entered her home. Once inside, the men tied her up, duct-taped her hands, and demanded valuables.

While searching the home, deputies made a grim discovery. The woman’s husband, 72-year-old Hussein Murray, was found dead in the basement. His injuries were so severe that it was unclear whether he had been shot or beaten to death.

Investigators believe the suspects may have specifically targeted the couple, as Murray and his wife owned a jewelry and pawn shop in Detroit. However, the items taken from the home were limited to a phone and a watch, leading authorities to suspect the criminals expected to find much more.

The Second Suspect Remains at Large

Police are still searching for a second suspect who fled after the crime. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office released surveillance footage and images from a Ring doorbell camera, asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspects. The footage reveals that the men first attempted to gain access to the home the night before but were turned away. Undeterred, they returned during the day on Friday and convinced the couple to let them inside under the guise of needing to inspect the home’s utility lines.

According to a statement from Oakland County prosecutors, Murray had signed a fake work order and escorted both men to the basement, where he was brutally killed.

Community on Edge as Investigation Continues

The Rochester Hills community is reeling in the aftermath of the crime. Neighbors have expressed shock and fear, as many were unaware of the danger lurking in their midst. Authorities are urging residents to be cautious of individuals claiming to be utility workers and to verify credentials before allowing anyone into their homes.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward. Hernandez, meanwhile, is expected to be extradited back to Michigan to face trial, and investigators remain hopeful they will soon locate his accomplice.

As authorities continue their search for justice, the Rochester Hills community mourns the loss of Hussein Murray, a beloved husband and respected business owner. His tragic death serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of life and the need to support one another in times of grief. Our thoughts are with his family as they navigate this unimaginable loss.