First man arrested and charged with impersonating DTE worker in Rochester Hills murder

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich — One of the men accused of murdering a 72-year-old Rochester Hills businessman and tying up his wife was arraigned in court Friday afternoon.

Carlos Jose Hernandez, 37, and Joshua Zuazo, 39, were charged with aggravated murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment. Both men are from Dearborn.

The charges stem from the death of Hussein Murray, a 72-year-old man who was killed in his home in Rochester Hills on October 11, 2024.

Hernandez was arraigned on Friday, October 25, pleading not guilty to his charges. His bond was rejected.

Zuazo was arraigned on October 18. On his behalf, he pleaded not guilty to all charges. His bail was also rejected. Zuazo is scheduled to be in court at 10 a.m. on October 29 for a probable cause hearing and is due back in court at 10 a.m. on November 4, 2024 for a preliminary hearing.

background

Authorities believe Hernandez and Zuazo went to the Rochester Hills home at 10 p.m. on Oct. 10, posed as DTE Energy workers and told the couple they were there to check out a gas leak. The homeowners spoke to them via a doorbell camera but did not let them into the house.

Twelve hours later, the suspects returned to the house and were allowed to enter.

Murray signed a note 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 bound the woman's wrists and ankles with duct tape 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 call 911 after freeing herself, and when Oakland County sheriff's deputies arrived, she told them she believed her husband may have been kidnapped. When officers searched the house, they found Murray's body in the basement. He was reportedly bound with duct tape around his wrists, ankles and face.

Because of the extent of the injuries, officials said the cause of death was not immediately clear.

Hernandez's arrest

Hernandez was arrested on Saturday, October 12, 2024, in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office said Hernandez was seen driving south on I-49 from Arkansas. Investigators detained him and took him into custody. He was also wanted in Ohio for an armed robbery.

He was extradited from Louisiana and booked into the Oakland County Jail on October 24, 2024.

Second suspect arrested

After Hernandez was arrested, his wife reportedly told investigators that the other suspect was Zuazo, who was located by law enforcement in Plymouth Township on Monday, Oct. 14.

Zuazo was taken into custody and booked into the Oakland County Jail. He was charged by the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office with aggravated murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment.

If convicted of murder, both men face life in prison without parole. Unlawful imprisonment is a felony punishable by up to 15 years and/or a fine of up to $20,000.

How to verify the identity of a worker at DTE Energy

If a DTE Energy employee comes to your home, you should ask for a photo ID. You can call DTE Energy at 800-477-4747 to verify their identity.

DTE Energy has issued the following warning to customers:

“If someone arrives at your home or business and says they are from DTE, please ask for a photo ID. If the person refuses to show their ID, do not let them in.

“If you would like to verify an employee’s identity or confirm that a vehicle is an authorized company vehicle, please call DTE immediately at 800-477-4747. If the person becomes agitated or acts strangely and insists you let them in, call 911.”

DTE Energy

Hank Winchester has more information to help identify fake workers or other scammers. You can read more here.