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Suspects posing as DTE employees allegedly killed a Michigan man and duct-taped his wife, sheriff says

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Suspects posing as DTE employees allegedly killed a Michigan man and duct-taped his wife, sheriff says

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) – The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office says one suspect is in custody after two people posed as DTE employees and allegedly killed a 72-year-old man and took his wife into their home on Friday.

The sheriff’s office confirmed Saturday that a Hispanic man seen on home surveillance footage was in custody in Shreveport, Louisiana. The police are still looking for a second suspect.

On Friday, sometime after noon, police received a call about a home invasion in the 3700 block of Newcastle Drive in Rochester Hills.

Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard says a preliminary investigation revealed two suspects went to the home, claiming to be DTE employees and needing access to the home due to a gas leak. Bouchard says the male victim took the individuals to the basement.

“The [victim’s] woman has not seen the man again. They came upstairs a short time later and restrained her, taped her up, then searched the house for 20 minutes and then left,” Bouchard told CBS News Detroit.

According to the sheriff’s office, the woman believed her husband had been kidnapped. However, the victim was found dead in the basement during a search. The cause of death is unknown.

“There was quite a bit of blood, so we’re not sure if it was blunt force trauma or if there was a gunshot or what it was,” Bouchard said.

The victim’s wife, 72, was taken to a hospital for treatment. Police say the male victim was a business owner in Wayne County.

On Friday evening, the sheriff’s office released surveillance images obtained from the suspects’ home and asked the public for help identifying them.

You can watch the video below:


Officials release images of suspects accused of posing as DTE employees and killing Michigan man

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Bouchard said the suspects came to the house in a pickup truck with a DTE sign on it. He said the suspects tried to gain entry to the home on Thursday night but were denied and given back on Friday, when they were allowed inside.

Bouchard also urges homeowners to verify the companies of anyone who approaches their home.

Bouchard said the suspects came to the house in a pickup truck with a DTE sign on it. He said the suspects tried to gain entry to the home on Thursday night but were denied and given back on Friday, when they were allowed inside.

“Look it up yourself, call the number and see if they have employees there before you give them access to your home,” he said.

Authorities continue to search the home as neighbors process the incident.

“In this area, I honestly never thought something like this could happen,” a neighbor told CBS News Detroit.

DTE issued the following statement on Friday:

“Our thoughts go out to the victims of this horrific and tragic event, and we hope that the perpetrators are quickly apprehended and brought to justice.

“If someone arrives at your home or business claiming he or she is from DTE, ask for a photo ID badge. If the person refuses to show their badge, do not allow them access to your home. If the person becomes irritated or behaves strangely, call 911 immediately.”

The utility has provided additional information for homeowners who are contacted by someone claiming to be a DTE employee wanting to come to their home:

  • Know your gas supplier. Just because DTE supplies your electricity does not mean that they also supply your gas. Impersonators are not always aware of our service area. Please note that while DTE does not provide residential gas distribution in Rochester Hills, it does operate gas transmission lines in the area.
  • Before DTE makes a routine visit to your home, we will make every effort to contact you in advance, either by telephone from our call center, email or text message.
  • It is very rare that a DTE employee has to enter your home, but it does happen. DTE takes every opportunity to inform you of the work that needs to be carried out at your home and, if possible, will contact you in advance to agree on a time at which the work must be carried out.
  • All DTE Electric and DTE Gas employees and contractors wear photo identification badges and are required to show their badges when requested.
  • Customers should ask the employee why they are there and, if necessary, call 800-477-4747 to confirm before granting access to their property. Keep your door locked while you call and only speak through a closed screen door if it is necessary to talk to the person.

contributed to this report.

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