Michigan Jewelry Store Owner Killed in Home Robbery

By Rob Bates | October 16, 2024

Hussein “Sam” Murray, owner of Gold & Glitter, a jewelry store and pawnshop in Hamtramck, Mich., was killed Oct. 11 during an attempted robbery at his home in nearby Rochester Hills, according to news reports and social media posts. He was 72.

Two people—Carlos Jose Hernandez, 37, of Dearborn, and a man whose name has not yet been released—have been arrested in conjunction with the crime, the Oakland Country Sheriff’s Office posted on X. Hernandez has been charged with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment.

According to a statement from Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald, two men came to Murray’s house on Oct. 10, claiming to be workers from local utility DTE Energy checking on a gas leak. The men weren’t allowed in that day, but returned the next day and were permitted to enter.

The men were escorted to the basement, but later came upstairs and asked Murray’s wife where money and jewelry were kept. They eventually bound the woman with duct tape; at one point, she started to scream and was hit across the face. The men took the wife’s phone and watch and left. Murray was found dead in his basement, with his wrists and ankles bound.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA) says it hasn’t yet determined if Murray’s home was targeted because he owned a jewelry store. If so, the incident would mark the second jewelry-related homicide this year. (The first occurred in July, when Florida jeweler Ghazi Osta was shot during an argument with a customer.)

“Based on public information, it doesn’t appear to be random,” says Scott Guginsky, JSA’s vice president. “It seems he was targeted because of his successful jewelry business. The JSA sends its sincere condolences to the victim’s family and friends.”

According to JSA, while this kind of crime is rare, jewelers need to be security-conscious in their residences. They should never take merchandise home and should stay alert to possibly being followed, JSA says. Suspicious activities should be reported to local police, it adds.

“Police departments aren’t just supposed to be reactive,” says Guginsky. “They’re supposed to be proactive.”

In addition, JSA always advises people to not resist during a robbery or other crime. More crime prevention and safety tips can be seen here and on JSA’s site.

DTE Energy said that customers should ask to see a badge with a photo from anyone who appears at their home or business saying they’re from the company, and that if the person refuses to show ID, they should not be allowed entrance. Customers can always call the company if they’re unsure workers are legitimate.

On Instagram, Gold & Glitter thanked the community for its outpouring of support and said the store will reopen soon.