A man who was caught on camera posing as a utility worker to gain entrance to a Michigan house on Friday has been charged with murdering a man in a “gruesome” attack and tying up his wife, prosecutors said Sunday.
Carlos Jose Hernandez, 37, from Dearborn, Michigan, was arrested in Louisiana and charged with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday.
Authorities released doorbell camera footage showing Hernandez and another man wearing masks and yellow fluorescent vests, asking for entry to the house in Rochester Hills, a Detroit suburb, claiming they were from a local energy company. “We’re DTE, we’re checking for gas leaks,” Hernandez is heard to say.
The pair had a phony work order on a clipboard and fake ID badges.
Hernandez was arrested on Saturday in Shreveport, Louisiana, according to Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office which took him into custody after spotting him traveling south on I-49 from Arkansas. There is also a warrant for his arrest in Ohio in connection with an alleged armed robbery there.
A manhunt continues for the second unidentified man seen in the video.
The man who was killed was named as Hussein Murray, 72.
Murray’s family said in a statement: “We are heartbroken by the news of his death but our family will bond through this with the resolve he has instilled in us by being the man he was.”
Oakland County prosecutors said in a statement that Murray signed a piece of paper the suspects claimed was a works order and escorted them to the basement.
“Shortly thereafter, the defendant and the other male came up and asked the female victim where the money and jewelry were,” the prosecutor’s office said.
“They duct-taped her wrists and ankles. At one point, she started to scream, and the defendant hit her across the face.”
The defendant and the other suspect searched the house and took the woman’s phone and watch. Murray was found dead in the basement with his wrists and ankles duct-taped.
The alarm was raised by Murray’s wife, who was somehow able to reach a phone and call 911 and was briefly hospitalized after the ordeal.
“She was actually in the kitchen area, she was able to get free enough to be able to get that phone,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard told NBC News.
The two suspects arrived at the home on Thursday at 10 p.m. but were turned away. When they arrived at 10 a.m., they were let in. The pair left in a white pickup truck featuring a DTE Energy sign.
Police believe the two suspects may have been targeting the house due to prior knowledge of valuables or money they expected to find there. Investigators said the couple owned a Detroit jewelry and pawn shop.
“That’s going to be a continuing part of our investigation, what put them on that door for that particular tragic moment, Bouchard said.
“This was a gruesome attack on an elderly couple in their home,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said. “I have authorized the highest charge which carries a mandatory life without parole sentence for this brutal crime.”
Felony Murder is a felony punishable by life without parole, while unlawful imprisonment is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
DTE Energy released a statement to warn people against allowing imposters into their homes.
“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,” the company said.
Residents can also call DTE at 800-477-4747 to check the credentials of any workers.