ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. — A man who allegedly impersonated a DTE employee has been charged for duct-taping a Rochester Hills couple in their home, killing the man and stealing from the home.
Carlos Jose Hernandez, 37, of Dearborn, was charged on Sunday with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment.
Authorities say Hernandez and a second unidentified man went to a home in Rochester Hills while impersonating DTE employees around 10 p.m. on Thursday. The men claimed they were there to check on a gas leak.
The couple who lived at the home spoke with the men through their doorbell camera but refused to let them inside.
The men returned Friday around 10 a.m., and the couple, a 72-year-old man and 72-year-old woman, let the men inside. The male victim then signed a form that was believed to be from DTE and led the men to the basement.
Authorities say the men later returned upstairs and asked the woman "where the money and jewelry were." They then allegedly duct-taped her hands and wrists together. When the woman screamed, Hernandez hit her across the face, according to authorities.
The men searched the home, took the woman's phone and watch, and left. Authorities say the men were driving a white pickup truck with a DTE logo on the side.
The woman was able to call 911 for help. Officers found her husband dead in the basement also with his wrists and ankles duct-taped.
Hernandez was found in Louisiana on Saturday and taken into custody.
“This was a gruesome attack on an elderly couple in their home,” stated Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. “I have authorized the highest charge which carries a mandatory life without parole sentence for this brutal crime. My office will work diligently to ensure that this individual is held accountable and that the public is safe from violent predators.”
Authorities are still working to locate the second suspect.
DTE is now encouraging customers to ask to see a badge with photo ID, which all DTE employees carry. You should not let anyone inside if they do not show you their badge.
You can also call DTE customer service to check if the person is a legitimate employee at 800-477-4747.
