Joshua Zuazo, 39, of Dearborn, has been charged with the murder of 72-year-old Rochester Hills businessman Hussein Murray.
Zuazo was charged in a three-count warrant issued on Thursday (Oct. 17) with felony murder, a life sentence if convicted, and two counts of unlawful imprisonment, 15-year felonies.
Zuazo is being held in the Oakland County Jail and is expected to be charged at 1:15 p.m. on Friday.
Oakland County Sheriff’s Detective David Pachmeyer gave a sworn statement in court Thursday about the case.
Pachmeyer gave new details about how the 72-year-old victim, Hussein Murray, was found.
“Deputies located (Murray) deceased in the basement bound by duct tape around his ankles and wrists and duct tape circling his head several times. His nose and face were also restricted by the duct tape,” Pachmeyer said.
Pachmeyer said investigators have uncovered surveillance video of the suspects buying materials used during the home invasion.
“Additional footage showing Carlos and Joshua on the day of the robbery/homicide in the Lowes buying black zip ties that were located at the crime scene and also on Mr. Hussein,” he said.
Details
Zuazo and Hernandez arrived at the Murray’s upscale home in the 3700 block of Newcastle Drive on Oct. 10 around 10 p.m., claiming to be DTE employees.
The man said they were investigating a gas leak but were attempting to gain access to the home to rob Murray and his 72-year-old wife, who spoke with the men through their Ring camera but did not allow them in.
The men appeared at the residence at 10 a.m. and were allowed to enter. Murray signed a piece of paper purportedly from DTE and escorted the imposters to the basement, where his wife never saw him emerge.
Shortly thereafter, the fake DTE workers came up and asked the wife where the money and jewelry were. They duct-taped her wrists and ankles.
At one point, she started to scream, causing Hernandez to hit her across the face.
The men searched the house, took the wife’s phone and watch, and left in an older model white pick-up truck with a DTE sign on the side.
The wife said she was able to call 911 after freeing herself. She told authorities she believed at the time that her husband may have been kidnapped before he was found dead in the basement with his wrists and ankles duct taped.
Hernandez was located in Shreveport, Louisiana, on Saturday, Oct. 12, by Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies without incident.
Caddo deputies on I-49 spotted a vehicle that matched the description of Hernandez’s vehicle.
Deputies there made a traffic stop and arrested Hernandez for multiple armed robbery warrants out of Ohio and the Oakland County murder warrant.
He is being held in the Caddo Correction Center. After waiving an extradition hearing in Louisiana, he is expected to return to Michigan sometime next week.
On Oct. 14, 2024, law enforcement located Zuazo in Plymouth Township and took him into custody. He remains in custody at the Oakland County Jail.
How to verify a worker’s identity with DTE Energy
DTE officials encourage customers to ask to see a badge with a photo ID from anyone who arrives at their home or business and says they are from DTE.
If the person refuses to show their badge, do not allow them inside. If you are unsure if the person claiming to be from DTE is legitimate, immediately call DTE customer service at 800-477-4747. If the person becomes agitated or acts strangely, insisting to be let inside, call 911.
The DTE imposters are charged with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment. Felony Murder is a felony punishable by life without parole and requires DNA to be taken upon arrest.
Unlawful imprisonment is a felony punishable by up to 15 Years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $20,000.
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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