Doorbell footage shows two fake energy workers call to a jewelry store owners home before allegedly killing him
Doorbell footage shows two fake energy workers call to a jewelry store owners home before they allegedly killing him.
Doorbell footage has been released showing two suspects pretending to be energy workers calling a house in an upscale Detroit neighborhood before they allegedly murdered a 72-year-old jewelry store owner in the basement while his wife was duct-taped.
The chilling footage, released by police, shows the men in high-vis vests and face masks standing outside a home in Rochester Hills, on Thursday at around 10 p.m., hours before the brutal killing took place, police say.
"We’re DTE, we’re checking for gas leaks," one of the men says before displaying his clipboard to the camera while the other suspect appears to keep watch. DTE Energy is an energy company based in Detroit, Michigan.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard identified the victim as Hussein Murray in an X post on Saturday. He also reported that Murray's wife was hospitalized after the attack, but was later discharged.
BEWARE OF FRAUDSTERS POSING AS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TRYING TO STEAL YOUR CASH
Doorbell footage has been released showing two suspects pretending to be energy workers calling a house in an upscale Detroit neighborhood before they allegedly murdered a 72-year-old jewelry store owner in the basement while his wife was duct-taped. (Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard via X)
As of Saturday evening, one suspect has been arrested while another is still on the move.
"We can’t release a lot of information at this point but wanted to communicate that in conjunction with our great partners we have suspect number one, the Hispanic male shown in the video, in custody in Shreveport, Louisiana," Bouchard announced on X.
"We are communicating with the Oakland County Prosecutor‘s office on formal charges. Meanwhile, we continue to encourage the public to give us any information or tips about suspect number two."
Police say the suspects were unable to gain entry Thursday and returned on Friday at around noon and got into the home, located in the 3700 block of Newcastle.
Murray had brought the men down to his basement to check for a purported gas leak, his wife told police. When he didn’t return, she assumed he had been kidnapped.
When police arrived on the scene, they found Murray's wife tied up with duct tape. Officers then went down to the basement where they found his body.
Police say they do not know how the 72-year-old man died because of "the gruesome nature of the injuries."
"We're not sure the cause, because quite frankly there was so much blood," Sheriff Bouchard said, per Fox 2 Detroit. "We're not sure if it was any kind of gunshot or blunt force trauma. We're not sure."
"They said there was a gas leak, they let them in and the husband went with them downstairs to check if and where the gas leak may be, and she never saw him again," Bouchard said.
The Detroit murder suspects posing as energy workers on Thursday. (Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard via X)
It is unclear if items were stolen from the house. Murray owned a jewelry business in Wayne County.
"Lots of times when people are small business owners they become a target for assets or cash that sometimes they bring home," Bouchard said. "We’ve seen that in some of the high-end burglaries. So that’s a possibility we’re looking into as well."
Police released a screenshot of the suspect who called to the door on Thursday.
"Here is a picture of one of our homicide suspects," police wrote on Facebook. "Even though they are attempting to conceal their faces and identity, it’s likely if you know this person you will recognize even with the mask. A reward is possible."
Bouchard encouraged residents to be wary of anyone showing up at their homes unexpectedly claiming to be from a utility company or some other business wanting access.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard speaking in 2023. Bouchard said the cause of death is not yet known because "there was so much blood." (Mandi Wright / USA TODAY NETWORK)
DTE echoed those warnings in a statement and advised customers to request identification badges from workers who call to homes, noting that DTE employees always carry photo identification.
"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," the energy company's statement reads, in part, per Fox 2.
"It is important to note that, before DTE arrives at a customer's home for any service visit, we make every effort to contact them in advance, either through a phone call from our call center or via email or text message. We encourage customers to request to see the identification badge before allowing access to their property."
"If customers want to verify a worker’s identity or confirm that a vehicle is an authorized company vehicle, they should call DTE customer service at 800-477-4747 to confirm the validity of the visit."
Police are actively investigating the incident and searching for the second suspect. No additional information is known at this time.
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