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Crestwood trucking company worker charged in CEO’s death, police say
An employee of a south suburban trucking company was charged in connection with the CEO’s death earlier this month.
CRESTWOOD, Ill. - Josif Suclea, 53, faces first-degree murder charges after the death of his boss, described as a loving father, son and brother.
On March 5, police and fire crews arrived at ATG Truckload in Crestwood after an employee reported smoke.
Firefighters found a three-ring binder full of paper burning on the second floor and the company's CEO Dane Koteski face down in a large pool of blood. Detectives said surveillance footage shows the victim being followed into a back office by Suclea.
According to court documents, "a brief struggle and crying is heard from the room, the victim asking why and the offender responding I had too".
Dane Koteski was found dead on March 5, 2025, inside the building of the Crestwood trucking company he owned. (Courtesy of GoFundMe)
"If you have any religious beliefs, you don't believe anyone should be killed", said long-time neighbor Darlene Adams.
Court documents said "employees told detectives the suspect was a long-term employee and was recently told the business was going bankrupt". Detectives also said "It was learned the business and Koteski owed a substantial amount of money to Suclea and was unable to pay him."
Koteski lived in Burr Ridge. Neighbors said he mostly stayed to himself and was hardworking.
Josif Suclea
The South Side major crimes task force interviewed multiple former employees of the trucking company. Those employees identified the suspect from surveillance footage.
Authorities arrested the suspect at a truck stop in Holland, Michigan.
Suclea is due back in court Tuesday.