Dearborn man charged with felony murder for allegedly posing as DTE worker, killing Rochester Hills businessman, tying up wife in their home

Man's mugshot
Mugshot: Carlos Hernandez Photo credit Oakland County Sheriff's Office

ROCHESTER HILLS (WWJ) A Dearborn man accused of posing as a DTE worker to gain access to a Rochester Hills home where he allegedly killed the homeowner and tied up the victim's wife has been charged with felony murder.

Carlos Hernández is charged with murdering Rochester Hills businessman Hussein Murray, 72. A second suspect, who also posed as a DTE worker, was present in the home at the time of the murder.

“This case is an extremely disturbing and tragic event for which we intend to hold the perpetrators fully accountable,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a press release from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. “I am so proud of our whole team for how they worked around the clock to bring this case forward. I am also very proud of our partnership with the U.S. Marshal’s service, as well as the local sheriff’s office that was watching for the suspect vehicle. We continue to ask the public’s help for information locating the second subject."

Oakland County prosecutors authorized a three-count warrant on Sunday charging Hernandez, 37, with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment. Felony murder carries a mandatory life sentence if convicted; and unlawful imprisonment, up to 15 years behind bars for each count and/or a $20,000 fine.

The Caddo Parish’s Sheriff’s Office arrested Hernandez without incident on Saturday around 4 p.m. in Shreveport, Louisiana. Caddo deputies saw a vehicle on Interstate 49 that matched the description of Hernandez’s.

According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office; Caddo deputies took Hernandez into custody during a traffic stop on multiple outstanding armed robbery warrants out of Ohio and the Oakland County murder warrant. He’s currently being held in the Caddo Correction Center. It’s not known whether he’ll waive extradition back to Michigan.

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office said Hernandez and his accomplice tried to get into the Murray’s home on Thursday night (10/10), under the guise of DTE employees investigating a gas leak. Turned away the first time; they returned to the home on Newcastle, in the area of Adams and Dutton, shortly before noon on Friday (10/11). This time, Murray accompanied the two men into the basement to look for a leak. The wife never saw him again.

The wife, also 72, called 911. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found the wife tied up with her hands wrapped in duct tape. She told them she believed her husband had been kidnapped.

While checking the house to ensure it was safe, deputies discovered Murray’s body in the basement. The wife was taken to the hospital, but she has since been released.

It’s unknown if the suspects took anything from the home.

The search continues for a second suspect— described as a thin, Black male— who remains at large. Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

Investigators believe this was a targeted incident, but are unsure of the motive.

“This was a gruesome attack on an elderly couple in their home,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a press release from her office. “I have authorized the highest charge which carries a mandatory life without parole sentence for this brutal crime. My office will work diligently to ensure this individual is held accountable, and the public is safe from violent predators.”

DTE released the following statement:

"We’re aware of reports that a person was killed by imposters presenting themselves as DTE employees. Our hearts go out to the victims of this horrific and tragic event, and we hope the perpetrators are quickly apprehended and brought to justice. 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 are unsure if a person claiming to be from DTE is legitimate, please immediately call DTE customer service at 800-477-4747. If the person becomes agitated or acts in a strange manner, insisting that you let them inside, call 911." SEE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO SPOT ELECTRICAL SCAMS AND IMPOSTERS HERE.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Oakland County Sheriff's Office