ROCHESTER HILLS (WWJ) — Police in Oakland County are searching for two men who allegedly posed as DTE Energy workers, made their way into a Rochester Hills home and are believed to have killed an elderly man.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office was called to a home on Newcastle Drive in Rochester Hills — near Adams and Tienken — just before noon on Friday, Oct. 11.
Sheriff Mike Bouchard said at an afternoon press conference near the home that two fake DTE workers went to the home of a 72-year-old man — identified as Hussein Murray— claiming to be looking into a gas leak. According to a report by WXYZ-Channel 7 , he owned Gold & Glitter Jewelry in Hamtramck.
The wife told police the men had first come to the home late Thursday night, but the couple did not allow them to enter. But when they came back Friday, the couple let them in.
Bouchard said the man went to the basement with the suspects, “and the wife never saw him again.”
The fake DTE workers then came back upstairs, tied the man’s wife up with duct tape and searched the home for around 20 minutes, according to Bouchard. It was not clear what, if anything, was taken from the home.
The woman, also 72, was taken to the hospital, but was released before Saturday afternoon.
Bouchard said investigators are not sure exactly how Murray was killed because “there was so much blood.”
One suspect is described as a thin, Black male, while the other was said to be a heavyset” Latino man. No other description was given.
The sheriff's office Friday evening released a photo and video showing the Latino suspect. In the video he says, "we're DTE; we're checking for gas leaks."
"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," the sheriff's office said on X.
Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information on the crime should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak-Up. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
Investigators believe this was a "targeted" incident, but they are not sure why exactly the home was targeted. The sheriff's office is investigating it as "an apparent homicide."
DTE released the following statement:
"We’re aware of reports that a person was killed by imposters presenting themselves as DTE employees. 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. If anyone arrives at your home or business saying they are from DTE, please ask to see a badge with photo ID. If the person refuses to show their badge, do not allow them inside. If you are unsure if a person claiming to be from DTE is legitimate, please immediately call DTE customer service at 800-477-4747. If the person becomes agitated or acts in a strange manner, insisting that you let them inside, call 911." SEE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO SPOT ELECTRICAL SCAMS AND IMPOSTERS HERE.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest updates as they become available. >>> LISTEN LIVE!
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