Doorbell footage released shows two suspects posing as energy workers calling a home in an upscale Detroit neighborhood, killing a 72-year-old jewelry store owner in his basement and duct-taping his wife. It is shown rolled up.
Chilling footage released by police shows men wearing high-vis vests and face masks standing outside a Rochester Hills home at around 10pm on Thursday, hours before the brutal killings. It is said that it is reflected in the image.
“We're DTE. We're checking for gas leaks,” one of the men says before showing a clipboard to the camera, while the other suspect appears to be keeping watch.
DTE Energy is an energy company based in Detroit, Michigan.
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Doorbell footage released shows two suspects posing as energy workers calling a home in an upscale Detroit neighborhood, killing a 72-year-old jewelry store owner in his basement and duct-taping his wife. It is shown rolled up. (Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, via X)
Police said the pair failed to gain entry Thursday and returned around noon Friday to break into a home in the 3700 block of Newcastle.
The victim's wife told police that the victim had taken the men to the basement of their home to check for a gas leak, but the victim had not been identified at the time of this report. When he didn't return, she thought he had been kidnapped.
When police arrived at the scene, they found the man's wife tied up with duct tape and went to the basement where they discovered the body.
Police said they do not know how the man died “due to the tragic nature of his injuries”.
“Frankly, there was so much blood that we don't know what caused it,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. fox 2 detroit. “We don't know if it was some sort of gunshot trauma or blunt force trauma. We're not sure. … They said there was a gas leak and they brought them in and the husband also We went downstairs together to see if there was a gas leak and where it was.'' There was a possible gas leak, and she never saw him again. ”
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In Thursday's Detroit murder, the suspect posed as an energy worker. (Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, via X)
It is unclear whether any items were stolen from the home. The victim owned a jewelry store in Wayne County.
Police said they were searching for two men who were driving a white pickup truck with orange corn in the bed.
One is described as thin and black, the other as fat and Latino.
Police say the two should be considered dangerous.
“When people are small business owners, they are often targeted for assets and cash to take home,” Bouchard said. “We've seen that in some of the luxury heists, so we're looking into that possibility as well.”
Police released a screenshot of the suspect who called the door Thursday.
“Here is a photo of one of the murder suspects,” police wrote on Facebook. “Even if they're trying to hide their face and identity, if you know this person, there's a good chance you'll recognize them, even if they're wearing a mask. There's a chance they'll get paid.”
Bouchard encouraged residents to be fed up with people who suddenly show up at their homes claiming to be seeking access from utility companies or other businesses.
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Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard speaking in 2023. Bouchard said the cause of death was not yet known because “there was a lot of blood.” (Mandy Wright/USA TODAY NETWORK)
DTE echoed those warnings in a statement, noting that DTE employees always carry photo identification and advising customers to request identification badges from employees making home visits.
“Our hearts go out to the victims of this horrific and tragic incident, and we hope the perpetrators are quickly apprehended and brought to justice,” the energy company's statement read in part on Fox 2. It has been reported.
“Importantly, we make every effort to contact you in advance, either by phone call from our call center or via email or text message, before DTE arrives at your home for a service visit. Please note that we recommend that you: Request to see your identification badge before allowing access to your property.
“If a customer wishes to verify the identity of an employee or verify that the vehicle is an authorized company vehicle, please call DTE Customer Service at 800-477-4747 to verify the legitimacy of the visit. You must.”
