Carlos Jose Hernandez, 37, has been charged with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment in connection with a “gruesome” attack at a Michigan home. He was caught on camera posing as a utility worker to gain entry to the house in Rochester Hills, where he and another man tied up the homeowner’s wife and murdered the homeowner, Hussein Murray, 72. The suspects claimed to be from a local energy company and had fake ID badges and a phony work order. Hernandez was arrested in Louisiana, and a manhunt is ongoing for the second suspect.
Murray’s family expressed their sorrow over his death, while prosecutors described the attack as brutal and authorized the highest charges against Hernandez. The couple own a jewelry and pawn shop, leading investigators to believe that the suspects may have targeted the house for valuables or money. The wife managed to call 911 after being bound and assaulted, leading to the suspects’ apprehension.
The incident has prompted DTE Energy to issue a warning against allowing imposters into homes, advising residents to ask for photo ID and call the company to verify credentials. The highest charge against Hernandez carries a mandatory life without parole sentence, while the unlawful imprisonment charges could result in up to 15 years in prison. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying the identities of individuals claiming to be utility workers before allowing them into homes.
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