OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – One of two men accused of pretending to be DTE Energy workers to gain access to a Rochester Hills home where a man was murdered and a woman was tied up has been taken into custody.
Carlos Jose Hernandez, 37, was arrested on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office said Hernandez was spotted traveling south on I-49 from Arkansas. Investigators pulled him over and took him into custody. He is also wanted in Ohio for an armed robbery warrant.
Hernandez is accused in the murder of Hussein Murray, 72. Murray was killed at his home in the 3700 block of Newcastle Drive on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. His wife, also 72, told Oakland County deputies that two men pretending to be DTE Energy workers entered their home by telling the couple that there was a gas leak. Murray led them into the basement.
When the two men returned from the basement, they tied the woman up with duct tape and then spent at least 20 minutes searching the home, according to police. It’s unclear what, if anything, was taken.
The woman called 911 and when deputies arrived she told them she believed her husband may have been kidnapped. While searching the home, deputies found Murray’s body in the basement. Due to the extent of the injuries, deputies said the cause of death was not immediately clear.
The woman told deputies that two men had also come to the home at around 10 p.m. on Thursday and said there was a gas leak, but they were not allowed to enter the home.
“They came back (Friday) morning with the same thing, said there was a gas leak,” Oakland County sheriff Micahel Bouchard said. “They were allowed into the house. The husband went to the basement with them where the gas comes into the house and the wife never saw him again -- never saw him come up.”
2nd suspect still at large
The other suspect in this case has not been taken into custody. He has been described as thin. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is still seeking information and tips about the second suspect.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest. Tipsters will remain anonymous.
How to verify a worker’s identity with DTE Energy
If a DTE Energy worker comes to your house, you should ask to see a badge with photo ID. You can call DTE Energy at 800-477-4747 to verify their identity.
DTE Energy released the following warning to customers:
“If anyone arrives at your home or business saying they are from DTE, please ask to see a badge with photo ID. If the person refuses to show their badge, do not allow them inside.
“If you want to verify a worker’s identity or confirm that a vehicle is an authorized company vehicle, please immediately call DTE at 800-477-4747. If the person becomes agitated or acts in a strange manner, insisting that you let them inside, call 911.”
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