(CBS DETROIT) – A Dearborn man charged with posed as a DTE employee and murdered a Rochester Hills man has been charged with murder.
Joshua Zuazo, 39, is also charged with two counts of unlawful imprisonment in connection with the death of 72-year-old Hussein Murray and taping his wife, according to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.
Zuazo was arrested Monday in Plymouth Township. The other suspect, 37-year-old Carlos Jose Hernandez, was arrested over the weekend in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was also charged with murder and unlawful imprisonment.
“Impersonating utility workers – people we need and rely on – is despicable and threatens the sense of safety of everyone in our community,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a statement. “My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the public from violent predators, and we will vigorously pursue justice for the victims in this case.”
Prosecutors say Zuazo and Hernandez went to Murray’s home around 10 p.m. on Oct. 10, claiming they needed to check the house for a gas leak. They were refused entry, but returned on Friday, October 11 and were allowed inside.
Prosecutors say Murray escorted the men to the basement, but the suspects returned without him and taped his wife’s wrists and ankles. They also asked the woman where they could find money and jewelry before searching the house.
At one point, the woman began screaming, with Hernandez allegedly punching her in the face. Officials say the suspects ransacked the home and took the woman’s phone and watch before leaving.
The suspects left the home in a white pickup truck with a DTE sign on it.
The victim’s wife was able to call 911. Police arrived and found Murray’s body in the basement, with duct tape on his wrists and ankles.
