Police arrest man accused of posing as utility worker, killing homeowner

In Louisiana, the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office reported the arrest of a man wanted in connection with a Michigan homicide in which the defendants pretended to be utility personnel to gain entry into the victim’s home. The Caddo Correction Center is where Carlos Jose Hernandez, 37, was taken after his arrest on Saturday, according to the sheriff’s office. Hernandez is one of two suspects who, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, killed a 72-year-old man on Friday after assuming the identity of a utility worker to enter a house in a “upscale” neighborhood in Rochester Hills, Michigan.

The sheriff’s office claims the individuals were impersonating employees of Detroit-based DTE Energy, an energy business. The department released doorbell camera footage that shows the two homicide suspects holding a clipboard and wearing luminous yellow vests. According to the victim’s wife, deputies in Michigan stated that the men claimed they needed to enter the basement of the house due to a gas leak.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office issued a news release stating that “they were permitted in the house and her husband accompanied the two men in the basement, ostensibly to look for the leak.” Because she didn’t see her husband emerge from the cellar, the wife thought he had been abducted. The victim’s wife called 911, and deputies eventually showed up at the house. They discovered her husband dead in the basement and her bound with duct tape.

Police were informed by the victim’s wife that the guys had visited their house the previous evening as well, but they were not allowed inside. Hernandez was traveling on I-49 from Arkansas to Louisiana on Saturday, according to information that was reported to the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana. Hernandez was safely taken into custody by deputies once they saw the suspect’s car. “Hernandez was booked for a homicide warrant from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and several armed robbery warrants from Ohio,” the Caddo County Sheriff’s Office stated.

DTE Energy also issued a statement on Friday regarding the incident, asking people who are approached by someone posing as a utility worker to show identity or a badge. Although it is extremely uncommon, a DTE representative may need to enter your home. In part, the corporation stated, “DTE will take advantage of every chance to notify you of any work that needs to be done at your home and, if feasible, will get in touch with you beforehand to arrange a time for the work to be finished.” Meanwhile, Michigan authorities continue to ask the public for information regarding the name or whereabouts of the second suspect. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office added, “We still urge the public to provide us with any information or tips regarding suspect number two.” “We also urge the second suspect to come forward.”