Second Michigan home invasion suspect posing as utility worker charged with murder

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. (TNND) – The second suspect arrested in connection with a deadly break-in at a Michigan home in which perpetrators posed as utility workers to gain entry has been charged with murder, deputies said.

Joshua Zuazo, 39, of Dearborn, was charged in a three-count warrant with aggravated murder, a life felony if convicted and two counts of unlawful imprisonment, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office reported.

The first suspect, Carlos Jose Hernandez, 37, was arrested Saturday and charged with murder. The sheriff’s office added that he was arrested in Shreveport, Louisiana, but officials were pushing for his extradition.

Hussein Murray, 72, was found dead in the basement of his Rochester Hills home on Oct. 11, deputies said. His wife’s hands were bound with duct tape before she called 911.

During his arraignment on Friday, a judge ordered Zuazo held without bail, citing public safety concerns and a flight risk, ABC News reported. His next court date is scheduled for October 29.

Sheriff’s investigators learned that Hernandez and Zuazo had attempted to break into the home the night before the murder.

They posed as utility workers and claimed there was a gas leak, but were not allowed to enter.

“We are DTE. We’re looking for gas leaks,” Hernandez is heard saying in a doorbell video.

The two men returned the next evening and were allowed in to check for a gas leak in Murray’s basement.

Officers said Murray’s wife told them she assumed her husband had been kidnapped because he never returned from the basement with the men.

“I want to reiterate how proud I am of our entire team and what they have done to move this case forward quickly, not only getting our suspects off the street, but also providing evidence to the prosecutor so they can “We were able to present the matter to their court for the next phase,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a statement.