close
close

Second suspect charged in murder of Rochester Hills man

Second suspect charged in murder of Rochester Hills man

Authorities have charged a second suspect accused of posing as a DTE employee in the killing of a Rochester Hills man.

Joshua Zuazo, 39, of Dearborn, was arrested Monday in Plymouth Township, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said. He faces felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment. If convicted of murder, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.

“I want to reiterate how proud I am of our entire team and what they have done to quickly move this case forward, not only taking our suspects off the street, but bringing evidence to the prosecutor so that the “The matter will be brought before his court for the next phase,” said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.

“Once again, I commend and thank our partners at the state, federal and local levels for helping to bring these individuals to the bar of justice.”

Zuazo’s arrest follows that of Carlos Jose Hernández, 37, also of Dearborn. He was apprehended without incident Saturday in Shreveport, Louisiana, by Caddo Parish Sheriff’s deputies after authorities spotted a vehicle that matched the description of Hernandez’s vehicle.

Authorities said the men showed up at the home of Hussein Murray, 72, in Rochester Hills on the morning of Oct. 11, posing as DTE employees who were there to check on a gas leak.

After being let in, Murray accompanied the men to his basement, where his body was later found by authorities.

Once the suspects went back upstairs, they restrained Murray’s 72-year-old wife, tied her hands with duct tape and asked her where valuables were in the house, they said. the authorities. It is not known exactly what may have been taken into the house. Bouchard said Murray may have been targeted in connection with the pawn shop he owned in Hamtramck.

Once the suspects left, Murray’s wife freed herself enough to call 911.

Hours after the killing, authorities released security footage of the suspects in hopes it could lead to their arrest.

Zuazo is being held at the Oakland County Jail. His arraignment is scheduled for Friday at 1:15 p.m.

Hernandez is being held at Caddo Correctional Center in Shreveport. He is expected to return to Michigan next week after waiving an extradition hearing in Louisiana, authorities said.

[email protected]

@Max_DetroitNews