PONTIAC, Mich. – Both men accused of posing as DTE Energy workers to gain access to an Oakland County home where a man was murdered and a woman was tied up have been arrested and charged.
Carlos Jose Hernandez, 37, and Joshua Zuazo, 39, have been charged with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment. Both men are from Dearborn.
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The charges stem from the death of Hussein Murray, a 72-year-old man who was killed at his home in Rochester Hills on Oct. 11, 2024.
Zuazo was arraigned Friday, Oct. 18, afternoon. A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf on all charges Bond was denied. Zuazo is expected back in court for a probable cause conference at 10 a.m. on Oct. 29 and a preliminary examination at 10 a.m. on Nov. 4, 2024.
Background
Authorities believe Hernandez and Zuazo went to the Rochester Hills home at 10 p.m. on Oct. 10, posing as DTE Energy workers and told the couple they were there to check a gas leak. The homeowners spoke with them through a doorbell camera, but did not allow them inside the home.
The suspects returned to the home 12 hours later, when they were allowed inside.
Murray signed a piece of paper that the suspects told him was from DTE and then led the two men into the basement. When the two men returned from the basement, Murray was not with them.
They reportedly tied the woman up with duct tape on her wrists and ankles and asked where the money and jewelry were. Authorities said they spent at least 20 minutes searching the home before leaving with the woman’s watch and phone.
The woman managed to 911 after freeing herself and when Oakland County sheriff’s 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. He was reportedly bound with duct tape on his wrists, ankles and face.
Due to the extent of the injuries, deputies said the cause of death was not immediately clear.
First suspect arrested
Hernandez 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.
He was charged by the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment.
Hernandez is still awaiting extradition from Louisiana.
Second suspect arrested
After Hernandez was arrested, his wife reportedly told investigators the other suspect was Zuazo, who was then located by law enforcement in Plymouth Township on Monday, Oct. 14.
Zuazo was taken into custody and lodged at the Oakland County Jail.
He was charged by the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment. He is expected to be arraigned Friday, Oct. 18.
If convicted on the felony murder charge, both men face the possibility of life in prison without parole. Unlawful imprisonment is a felony punishable by up to 15 years and/or a fine up to $20,000.
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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Hank Winchester has more information on how to identify fake workers or other imposters. You can read more here.
