CrimeOct 03, 2024
Man Who Shared Spoils of $2.7M Smash-and-Grab on Social Media Pleads Guilty to Robbery ChargeCrimeOct 16, 2024
Two Arrested in Home Invasion Murder of 72-Year-Old Detroit Jeweler
The men allegedly posed as employees of a local energy company to gain entry to Hussein Murray’s home and then killed him in the basement.
Two men have been arrested and one of them charged for allegedly posing as energy company workers “checking for gas leaks” to enter the suburban Detroit home of Hussein Murray and then murdering the 72-year-old jeweler in the basement and stealing valuables from the home.
Rochester Hills, Mich.—The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office has charged one of two suspects arrested in connection with the home invasion murder of a 72-year-old Detroit jewelry store owner late last week.
According to the sheriff’s office, Hussein Murray, owner of Gold & Glitter Jewelry in Hamtramck, Michigan, was killed in his Rochester Hills home on Friday, allegedly murdered by two men posing as employees of local energy company DTE, claiming they were there to check for gas leaks.
While in the home, the men also imprisoned Murray’s wife, also 72 years old, who called 911 after the home invaders left.
When deputies arrived, they found her bound at the wrists and ankles with duct tape and located Murray’s body in the basement.
A law enforcement official told local reporters that he believes the two suspects targeted the Murray home because Murray was a jeweler, and they thought there would be money and jewelry inside.
The Oakland County Medical Examiner ruled Murray’s death a homicide. However, because of “the gruesome nature of the injuries,” the cause of death was not immediately clear, the sheriff’s office said.
The first suspect, 37-year-old Carlos Jose Hernandez of Dearborn, Michigan, has been charged with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment, the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office said in a news release.
“This was a gruesome attack on an elderly couple in their home,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in the release. “I have authorized the highest charge, which carries a mandatory life without parole sentence for this brutal crime.”
Hernandez was arrested during a traffic stop while traveling along Interstate 49 in Shreveport, Louisiana, on Saturday.
Following his arrest, Hernandez was transported to the Caddo Correction Center, where he was booked for the homicide warrant, as well as for multiple warrants out of Ohio for armed robbery.
He is being held in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, but the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said it plans to extradite him to Michigan.
The other suspect, who has not been named, was arrested during a traffic stop Monday afternoon, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a Facebook post.
Bouchard added that the suspect had been traveling in Plymouth Township, a western suburb of Detroit about 45 miles from Rochester Hills.
Related stories will be right here …
According to the sheriff’s office, Hussein Murray, owner of Gold & Glitter Jewelry in Hamtramck, Michigan, was killed in his Rochester Hills home on Friday, allegedly murdered by two men posing as employees of local energy company DTE, claiming they were there to check for gas leaks.
While in the home, the men also imprisoned Murray’s wife, also 72 years old, who called 911 after the home invaders left.
When deputies arrived, they found her bound at the wrists and ankles with duct tape and located Murray’s body in the basement.
A law enforcement official told local reporters that he believes the two suspects targeted the Murray home because Murray was a jeweler, and they thought there would be money and jewelry inside.
The Oakland County Medical Examiner ruled Murray’s death a homicide. However, because of “the gruesome nature of the injuries,” the cause of death was not immediately clear, the sheriff’s office said.
The first suspect, 37-year-old Carlos Jose Hernandez of Dearborn, Michigan, has been charged with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment, the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office said in a news release.
“This was a gruesome attack on an elderly couple in their home,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in the release. “I have authorized the highest charge, which carries a mandatory life without parole sentence for this brutal crime.”
Hernandez was arrested during a traffic stop while traveling along Interstate 49 in Shreveport, Louisiana, on Saturday.
Following his arrest, Hernandez was transported to the Caddo Correction Center, where he was booked for the homicide warrant, as well as for multiple warrants out of Ohio for armed robbery.
He is being held in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, but the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said it plans to extradite him to Michigan.
The other suspect, who has not been named, was arrested during a traffic stop Monday afternoon, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a Facebook post.
Bouchard added that the suspect had been traveling in Plymouth Township, a western suburb of Detroit about 45 miles from Rochester Hills.
The invasion at the Murray’s home in suburban Detroit began unfolding last Thursday evening.
Around 10 p.m. on Thursday, two men dressed as DTE workers approached the doorstep of Murray’s home in the 3700 block of Newcastle Drive.
Murray and his wife spoke to the men through the home’s Ring video camera but denied them entry, and the men said they would return the next day.
They came back around 10 a.m. on Friday.
One man was wearing yellow vest with orange and blue stripes along with a respirator mask and what appear to be gloves. The man behind him appeared to be wearing a similar vest.
He held a clipboard with a white paper up to the home’s Ring video camera, stating, “We’re DTE. We’re checking for gas leaks,” as shown in recovered Ring footage released by the sheriff’s office on Friday.
Upon entering the home, the men produced a piece of paper purportedly from DTE, which Murray signed before leading them to the basement, the prosecutor’s office said.
They came back up and asked his wife where the money and jewelry were. They duct-taped her wrists and ankles, and when she screamed, Hernandez hit her in the face, according to the prosecutor’s office.
The men searched the house and left with Murray’s wife’s phone and watch. The sheriff’s office is investigating if anything else was taken from the home.
“Based on what I’ve seen over my career, they may have thought there was valuables in the home due to the business, and were trying to get whatever those valuables were,” Bouchard told local news on Friday.
The suspects fled the scene in an older model white pickup truck with a DTE sign on the side, which, Bouchard told local news the sheriff’s office located on the day of the crime, finding it unoccupied and severely damaged by fire.
DTE has released a statement with tips to help customers to identify impersonators, encouraging them to request ID from workers before allowing them inside.
“Our hearts go out to the victims of this horrific and tragic event, and we hope the perpetrators are quickly apprehended and brought to justice,” the energy company said.
Funeral services for Murray took place Oct. 13 and 14 at the Islamic Institute of America in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, followed by a burial on Oct. 14 at United Memorial Gardens in Plymouth, Michigan.
Another commemoration service will take place at the mosque on Oct. 20.
Murray’s grandson, who shares his name due to a family tradition of the first son in the next generation taking the grandfather’s name, shared memories of his grandfather in an Instagram post.
“It is hard to put into words the level of generosity and kindness that my grandfather possessed. A man who spread so much warmth and joy to everyone in his family, and someone whose smile could make you feel like the world was yours,” he wrote.
“I am so proud to have been your grandson, and may Allah grant you the most beautiful garden in Jannah.”
More on Crime
The Latest
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America Aligns New Mission to Create Meaningful Impact for MembersFrom educational programs, advocacy, and recent MJSA affiliation, Jewelers of America drives progress that elevates businesses of all sizes.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
GradingNov 12, 2025
It’s Time: GIA’s Express Holiday Service Is Back GIA is offering next-day services for natural, colorless diamonds submitted to its labs in New York and Carlsbad.
MajorsNov 10, 2025
Jewelers Focus on Love, Joy In 2025 Holiday Campaigns Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Pandora have launched holiday campaigns depicting their jewelry as symbols of affection and happiness.
SurveysNov 10, 2025
5 Things Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearThe National Retail Federation is bullish on the holidays, forecasting retail sales to exceed $1 trillion this year.
AuctionsNov 10, 2025
300+ Colored Diamonds Up for Auction at Christie’sLate collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New PresidentCourtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
De Beers’ Production, Sales Increase in Q3 De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.
AuctionsNov 05, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Designer Makes Her Auction DebutKindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Modest Q3 Sales Growth Amid ‘Weak’ Consumer Sentiment The company focused on marketing in the third quarter and introduced two new charm collections, “Pandora Talisman” and “Pandora Minis.”
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Climb 10%The jewelry retailer raised its full-year guidance, with CFO Jeff Kuo describing the company as “very well positioned” for the holidays.
