Latest news with #Koteski
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
Arizona driver accused of murdering Illinois trucking company owner
A truck driver is accused of murdering the owner of an Illinois-based carrier whose business was set on fire on March 5, police said. Josif Suclea, 52, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of ATG Truckload owner Dane Koteski. Koteski, 46, was killed at the offices of his trucking company in Crestwood, Illinois, on March 5, authorities said. His body was found by firefighters, who were responding to a small blaze at ATG Truckload's facility in autopsy determined that Koteski had been stabbed in the neck, and the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office ruled his death a homicide, police said in a news release. Suclea was an employee at ATG Truckload, a 15-year-old carrier specializing in refrigerated freight, according to its website. ATG Truckload has 25 power units and drivers, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Police said they believe Koteski's death was a targeted attack. Surveillance cameras and eyewitnesses reported seeing Suclea at ATG Truckload before Koteski was killed and the fire was arrested on Sunday at a truck stop in Holland, Michigan, police said. Suclea is being held without bail at Cook County Jail. He was extradited to Illinois, where he was charged with first-degree murder. He has not been charged with arson. According to court documents, Koteski allegedly told Suclea around Feb. 28 that ATG Truckload 'was going bankrupt.' Koteski allegedly 'owed a substantial amount of money' to Suclea but was not able to pay him. ATG Truckload has not formally filed for bankruptcy, according to court records. The post Arizona driver accused of murdering Illinois trucking company owner appeared first on FreightWaves.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Trucking company CEO found murdered in burning building in Crestwood
CRESTWOOD, Ill. — The CEO and president of a trucking company was found murdered inside a burning building in Crestwood. According to police, authorities responded last Wednesday to a call of heavy smoke at ATG Truckload, Inc, located at 13835 South Kostner Avenue. As firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, the body of 46-year-old Dane Koteski was located on the second-floor of the building. According to the company's website, he was the CEO and President of ATG Truckload. A death and arson investigation was initiated by the Crestwood Police Department, the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force and the State Fire Marshalls. After several hours, investigators were able to identify a suspect, who was an employee of Koteski, according to police. The crime was deemed to be an isolated incident that specifically targeted the victim. An autopsy determined Koteski's cause of death to be homicide, resulting from injuries to the victim's neck that were caused by a sharp or pointed object. Police said the suspect was arrested at a truck stop in Holland, Michigan on Friday. The suspect is in custody of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office in Michigan on a murder warrant. The Crestwood Police Department and the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, in cooperation with Cook County State's Attorney's office, are continuing the investigation as they await extradition of the suspect back to Illinois. A GoFundMe Fundraiser has been created by friends to cover Koteski's funeral expenses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
