The investigation into a Michigan man suspected of posing as a utility worker and breaking into a couple's home, killing the man and tying up his wife has ended.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office announced that a second man has been arrested after the killing of Hussein Murray, 72, at his Rochester Hills home on Friday.
The other suspect, 37-year-old Carlos Jose Hernandez, was previously arrested in Louisiana and charged with felony murder and false imprisonment.
Police have not released the second suspect or the charges against him.
Dangerous suburban home invasions spark manhunt across the US as fake utility workers target upscale residential areas
Carlos Jose Hernandez, 37, was charged with felony murder and two counts of false imprisonment after he and an accomplice allegedly posed as utility workers and broke into Michigan homes. (Oakland County Sheriff's Office)
“Our Fugitive Apprehension Team spotted this individual traveling in Plymouth Township this afternoon and a traffic stop was conducted. He was arrested without incident,” the department said in a Facebook post. He was detained,” he said. “While we will not be adding anything further at this time, we wanted to release this information to reassure our concerned community.”
Police released Ring doorbell video showing Hernandez and another man wearing yellow fluorescent vests and masks outside Murray's home. Detroit suburbs. The two had fake work orders written on clipboards and had fake badges.
“We are DTE, we are checking for gas leaks,” Hernandez, who claims to be working with a local energy company, can be heard saying.
According to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office, Murray signed a fake work order and led Hernandez and another man to the basement of his home.
Doorbell video shows murder suspect pretending to be energy worker before murdering jewelry store owner
Carlos Hernandez was arrested Saturday in Shreveport, Louisiana by the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office. (Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office)
“Shortly thereafter, the defendant and another man arrived and asked the female victim where the money and jewelry were,” prosecutors said. NBC News reported. “They put duct tape around her wrists and ankles. At some point she started screaming and the defendant punched her in the face.”
Murray's 72-year-old wife reached the phone and called 911, which called police to the home. She was briefly hospitalized after the ordeal.
Hernandez and another man allegedly fled the scene with the woman's cell phone and watch. Murray was found dead in the basement of his home with duct tape wrapped around his wrists and ankles.
The two fled the scene in a white pickup truck with DTE Energy decals. Before successfully breaking into the home at 10 a.m. on Friday, the pair attempted to break into the home at the same time on Thursday but were rebuffed.
Police believe Murray was targeted because he had advance knowledge of the valuables and money that were expected to be inside. Prosecutors say the couple owns a jewelry store and pawnshop in the Detroit area.
“The investigation continues to determine what led them to that tragic moment,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard told NBC.
The fatal incident occurred along Newcastle Drive in Rochester Hills, Michigan. (Google Maps)
Deputies with the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office in Shreveport, Louisiana, found Hernandez heading south on Interstate 49 from Arkansas on Saturday and took him into custody, the department said. According to NBC News, there is a warrant out for his arrest in Ohio in connection with an armed robbery charge. The U.S. Marshals Service is also involved in the incident.
“This was a horrific attack on an elderly couple in their home,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said. “I have pleaded guilty to the maximum penalty for this heinous crime, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.”
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DTE Energy issued a statement warning residents not to let imposters into their homes and saying they can call the company at 800-477-4747 to verify employee credentials.
“If someone comes to your home or business saying they are from DTE, ask to see a badge with photo ID. If the person refuses to show the badge, go indoors. Please do not enter,” the company said.
