Video, picture released of fake DTE workers who killed homeowner and tied-up woman in Rochester Hills

ROCHESTER HILLS, Michigan (FOX 2) – Two suspects are wanted by police after posing as a DTE Energy crew in Rochester Hills, killed an elderly homeowner and tied up his wife on Friday.

The 72-year-old man, killed in his own basement, while police say his wife was taped. The suspects then searched the house for 20 minutes.

Law enforcement eventually accessed the Ring camera video, and an image and video of the suspects were released Friday evening.

“We’re not sure of the cause, because frankly there was a lot of blood,” said Sheriff Michael Bouchard. “We’re not sure if it was any kind of gunshot or blunt force trauma. We’re not sure.”

It’s unclear what may have been stolen, but the victim owned a jewelry business in Wayne County.

Bouchard said first Thursday night around 10, but they weren’t allowed in, then they came back around noon Friday, this time they were allowed in, and then they went into the basement with the owner.

“They said there was a gas leak, they let them in and the husband accompanied them downstairs to see if and where the gas leak could be, and she never saw him again,” she said. said Bouchard.

The men are described as one thin and black man while the other was heavier and Latino. Sheriff Bouchard says the men arrived at this home on Newcastle Drive posing as DTE workers with a sign on their white work truck claiming there was a gas leak.

“A lot of times when people are small business owners they become a target of assets or cash that they sometimes take home,” Bouchard said. “We’ve seen that in some of the high-end robberies. So that’s a possibility we’re looking at as well.”

Suspects must be considered dangerous.

DTE has published a statement:

“Our hearts go out to the victims of this horrific and tragic event, and we hope that the perpetrators are quickly apprehended and brought to justice. It is important to note that before DTE arrives at a customer’s home for any service visit, we make every effort to contact them in advance, either by phone call from our call center or by email or text message.

“DTE employees always carry photo identification. We encourage customers to ask to see the ID badge before allowing access to their property. If customers want to verify the identity of an employee or confirm that a vehicle is an authorized company vehicle, they should call DTE customer service at 800-477-4747 to confirm the validity of the visit”.