Friday, October 25, 2024 

PONTIAC, Mich. - 37-year-old Carlos Jose Hernandez has been extradited from Louisiana. He was arraigned today and Judge Laura Polizzi denied bond. Hernandez will remain in custody at the Oakland County Jail pending trial.

As previously announced, on Sunday, October 13, 2024, Hernandez was charged in connection with the murder of Rochester Hills resident Hussein Murray. On Friday, October 11, 2024, police responded to a call at a Rochester Hills home, where they found the deceased victim. Investigation revealed that the murder was allegedly committed by the two defendants posing as DTE workers. A second defendant, 39-year-old Joshua Zuazo, faces the same charges and has been in custody at the Oakland County Jail since October 14, 2024. Both defendants are charged with Felony Murder and two counts of Unlawful Imprisonment.

On Saturday, October 12, 2024, defendant Hernandez was located in Shreveport, Louisiana, and was taken into custody. On October 14, 2024, law enforcement located defendant Zuazo in Plymouth Township, and he was taken into custody.

On October 18, 2024, defendant Zuazo was arraigned in the 52-3rd District Court and bond was denied. Zuazo’s next court appearances are a Probable Cause Conference scheduled for October 29, 2024, at 10:00 am and a Preliminary Examination set for November 4, 2024, at 10:00 am, both before Judge Laura Polizzi.

“This was a shocking crime, both in the deception used to invade the victims’ home, and in the brutality of the murder itself,” said Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. “Posing as utility workers to invade the home of an elderly couple created fear in the entire community, and I applaud the Sheriff’s Office and our other law enforcement partners for quickly apprehending this defendant and bringing him back to Michigan.”

Officials at DTE encourage customers to ask to see a badge with a photo ID, from anyone who arrives at their home or business saying they are from DTE. If the person refuses to show their badge, do not allow them inside. If you are unsure if the person claiming to be from DTE is legitimate, immediately call DTE customer service at 800-477-4747. If the person becomes agitated or acts in a strange manner, insisting to be let inside, call 911.

Defendant Hernandez will next appear in the 52-3rd District Court on November 4, 2024, at 10:00 am for a Probable Cause Conference and November 12, 2024, at 8:30 am for a Preliminary Examination.

Felony Murder is a felony punishable by life without parole and requires DNA to be taken upon arrest. Unlawful Imprisonment is a felony punishable by up to 15 Years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $20,000.

Charges are accusations and individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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CONTACT: ocpomedia@oakgov.com