(CBS DETROIT) – A man accused of killing a Rochester Hills man earlier this month appeared in court Friday after being extradited to Michigan.
Carlos Jose Hernandez, 57, was arraigned in 52nd District Court on felony charges and two counts of unlawful imprisonment, according to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. He was denied bond and remains in the Oakland County Jail.
Hernández was arrested on October 12 in Shreveport, Louisianaa day after authorities say he and 39-year-old Joshua Zuazo allegedly posed as DTE workers and killed 72-year-old Hussein Murray at his Rochester Hills home.
That was him extradited back to Michigan on Thursday.
Authorities say the two men claimed they needed to check Murray’s home for a gas leak, where the victim led the suspects to the basement. Police say the two men showed up without Murray and allegedly taped up his wife. The woman managed to free herself and call the police.
Investigators say Murray was found dead in the basement, with tape on his wrists and ankles.
Zuazo was arrested in Plymouth two days after Hernandez and was charged with murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment. He was too bond denied.
“This was a shocking crime, both in terms of the deception used to enter the victims’ homes and the brutality of the murder itself,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a statement. “Masquerading as utility workers to raid an elderly couple’s home spread fear throughout the community, and I applaud the Sheriff’s Office and our other law enforcement partners for quickly apprehending this defendant and returning him to Michigan. ”
Hernandez is due back in court on November 4 for a probable cause hearing and preliminary examination on November 12.
If convicted, both men could face life in prison.
contributed to this report.
