DTE Disguise: A Fatal Flaw in a Dumb Robbery Plot

DTE Disguise: A Fatal Flaw in a Dumb Robbery Plot

The crisp autumn air of Rochester Hills, Michigan, on October 10th, 2024, held no hint of the brutality that would soon unfold. For 72-year-old Sam Murray, a jeweler and business owner, and his wife Linda, a quiet evening at their Newcastle Drive home was shattered by a late-night knock. Two men, posing as DTE (Detroit Utility Company) workers, claimed a gas leak was the reason for their visit. Despite the late hour and a flicker of suspicion from the Murrays, the men produced identification and insisted on checking the furnace in the basement. Sam, a man described as having a heart of gold, accompanied them, unaware he was walking into a deadly trap.

A Calculated Deception Unravels

The Murrays, married for 54 years and parents to three sons and grandparents to eleven, were pillars of their community. Sam, who ran Gold & Glitter Jewelry and a pawn shop, was known for his generosity. However, this familiarity bred by his businesses also made him a target. The DTE impostors were turned away that night, but their determination was evident. They returned the following morning, October 11th, 2024, around 10:00 a.m., just as Linda was returning from a doctor’s appointment.

This time, Sam, who was preparing lunches for his employees, agreed to let them in. Armed with a gun for perceived security, he led the two men, who would later be referred to by investigators with nicknames like “Pork Chop” and “Dipshit,” down to the basement. The moment the basement door closed behind them, Linda’s world began to crumble. Approximately 15 minutes later, one of the disguised men, “Pork Chop,” emerged, demanding to know where the money and safe were. Linda, terrified, offered him the $300 in her purse. Her plea, “What did you do to my husband?” was met with a chilling sight: the second man emerged from the basement, covered in blood. He chillingly replied, “Sam, he’s sleeping.” Linda was then punched in the face, bound with duct tape, and tied to a chair as the intruders ransacked the home. Shortly after, she managed to free herself and call 911.

A Horrific Discovery and a Multi-State Manhunt

Police arrived to a scene of unimaginable horror. Linda was found bound and distressed, with no knowledge of her husband’s fate beyond the bloodied appearance of one of the assailants. In the basement, they found Sam Murray, 72, brutally beaten to death. The autopsy would later reveal blunt force trauma as the cause of death, with extensive injuries including a fractured jaw, a crushed hyoid bone, and a throat likely crushed by a boot. His hands and head were bound with duct tape and zip ties, and his body bore the marks of a savage, prolonged assault.

The two suspects fled the scene with a small amount of cash, Linda’s phone, her Apple Watch, and some jewelry. The investigation quickly escalated, transforming from a local crime scene into a multi-state manhunt fueled by a trail of CCTV footage. The perpetrators, later identified as Carlos Juan Hernandez, 37, and Joshua Zuazo, 39, had made critical errors in their meticulously planned, yet poorly executed, crime.

Digital Footprints and Fatal Mistakes

The first break for investigators came from the very footage they released to the public. Ring camera footage from the Murrays’ home showed the two men in their DTE disguises the previous night. Despite their attempts at camouflage, their identities began to surface. A tipster, who recognized Hernandez from the footage, contacted the police. The second suspect, Zuazo, was identified by his distinctive walk and his former supervisor, who had fired him and who also recognized him from the footage.

Further investigation revealed a pattern of staggering ineptitude. The suspects had purchased the DTE disguises, including custom-made magnetic signs, from a local sign maker just a week prior. They also purchased a significant amount of supplies, including gloves, respirator masks, and duct tape, from a Home Depot in a single transaction. This combined purchase, along with the use of a stolen DTE-plated truck that was later found torched, provided a wealth of evidence.

Adding to their digital missteps, Carlos Hernandez had a public Facebook profile listing his residence as Katy, Texas, a detail he likely forgot in his haste to flee. Investigators also tracked license plate scanners at a Lowe’s, where the duo had purchased additional supplies. The evidence against them mounted rapidly, with DNA from both men found on the duct tape used to bind Sam Murray.

A Troubled Past and a Twisted Motivation

Both Hernandez and Zuazo had extensive criminal histories. Zuazo had a record dating back to 2004, including convictions for armed robbery and receiving stolen property. Hernandez’s past included a 2006 conviction for sexual conduct with a person underage and an attempted weapon possession charge while in prison. Texts found between Hernandez and his wife, Amanda, suggested she was aware of their plans, expressing nervousness about the getaway and a desire for enough money to buy a house.

The motive appeared to be financial, fueled by a year-long obsession. Carlos Hernandez had visited Sam Murray’s pawn shop multiple times, even pawning items for nearly $3,000 in October 2023. During these visits, he had provided his driver’s license and fingerprints, which investigators were able to use to trace him. In February 2024, he had specifically visited Sam’s store to shake his hand and admire his Rolex watches, all while his wife was reportedly unhappy with their financial situation and rent arrears.

Justice Served, Lessons Lost

The trial began in October 2025. Carlos Hernandez’s defense argued he was present but not the killer, attributing the murder to Zuazo. Zuazo’s defense claimed mistaken identity and denied any involvement. However, Linda Murray positively identified both men, having seen Zuazo without his mask at one point during the home invasion. The overwhelming physical evidence, including DNA and witness testimony, painted a damning picture.

On December 11th, 2025, both men were found guilty of first-degree felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment. The judge, noting the “depravity” and “arrogance and greed” displayed by the defendants, sentenced both Carlos Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The court’s words echoed the senselessness of the crime: “It is rarely does the court see this level of depravity, this level of arrogance and greed… the idea that there is such a loss of humanity in your actions.”

The case of Sam Murray serves as a stark reminder of how greed and poor planning can lead to devastating consequences. The elaborate disguise, the year-long planning, and the brutal execution ultimately unraveled due to a series of amateurish mistakes and a failure to anticipate the reach of modern investigative techniques. While justice has been served for Sam Murray, the tragedy underscores the importance of vigilance and the devastating impact of crimes born from desperation and a profound lack of empathy.

Source: TikToker Doesn’t Realize His Horrifying Acts Were Caught on Camera (YouTube)