ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. (WILX) – The two men convicted of posing as utility workers before killing an Oakland County businessman and assaulting his wife last year will spend the rest of their lives behind bars.
Carlos Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced Tuesday to life without the possibility parole. In early October they were convicted of first-degree murder for the death of 72-year-old Hussein Murray, a jewelry store owner from Rochester Hills.
Hernandez and Zuazo were also convicted of two counts of unlawful imprisonment for assaulting Murray’s wife and tying her to a chair.
Investigators say the men posed as DTE Energy employees by displaying a placard on their truck, wearing neon vests and holding DTE “paperwork” on a clipboard when they went to the victims’ home on Oct. 10, 2024.
Carlos Hernandez poses as DTE worker night before murder of Oakland County businessman(Oakland County Sheriff’s Office)
When Murray’s wife answered the door, the men told her they were searching for a gas leak, but the homeowners were skeptical and did not let them in. They were, however, let in the home the following day when they returned.
Investigators say Murray went to the men into the basement, but when Hernandez and Zuazo returned, Murray was not with them. They went on to tie her up while they searched the home for jewelry. She eventually freed herself and called 911.
Zuazo was arrested in Plymouth after a multi-day manhunt. Hernandez was arrested in Louisiana two days earlier.
Mugshots of Carlos Hernandez, left, and Joshua Zuazo, right. The men were sentenced to life in prison for posing as DTE workers and killing an Oakland County man in 2024.(Oakland County Sheriff’s Office)
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