Crestwood murder: Court records reveal Josif Suclea's alleged back-pay murder plot against ATG Truckload CEO Dane Koteski

The court records revealed potential hints about why the CEO of a popular Crestwood trucking company was killed by one of his employees earlier this month.

Dane Koteski, 46, was murdered on March 5 at the offices of his trucking company ATG Truckload in Crestwood, Ill.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Prosecutors announced that they have charged Josif Suclea, a long-time employee of the company, with first-degree murder after thorough investigation and interviews with other employees.

Court records lay out an alleged back-pay murder plot against Koteski.

Emergency responders from Cook County EMS rushed to ATG Truckload offices on South Kostner Avenue after receiving reports of a fire in the building around 4 p.m. on March 5.

Firefighters said they put out a small fire, a three-ring binder that was burning, and then they discovered the body of Koteski “lying face down in a pool of blood.”

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office would later determine Koteski’s throat had been slashed.

But Cook County court records show investigators quickly zeroed in on employee Suclea as a prime suspect.

In the days following the murder, Crestwood Police Chief Kevin Sisk said, “It was later that night, actually the next day about 5:15 a.m., the suspect was taken into custody about 2.5 hours away in Holland, Michigan.”

Now, we are learning who that suspect is, and what happened on the day Koteski was killed.

According to charging documents, Suclea was a long-term employee, and Koteski had recently told Suclea that ATG Truckload “was going bankrupt.”

Even though Koteski “owed a substantial amount of money to Suclea,” Koteski “was unable to pay him.”

ATG Truckload has not formally filed for bankruptcy, according to federal court records.

Court records spell out Suclea’s every move, and CEO Koteski’s last moments alive.

Security camera footage and Suclea’s cell phone data shows Suclea followed Koteski into an office on March 5 around 2:37 p.m.

Investigators say Koteski can be seen in the footage taking a phone call, and then stepping into another room, out of sight of the camera. Then, Suclea is seen in the security footage following Koteski.

Then, prosecutors allege there was a “brief struggle and then crying is heard from the room.”

The victim, Koteski, can be heard asking “‘Why?’ and the offender [Suclea] responding with, ‘I had to.'”

Investigators would later track down the person that Koteski was on the phone with when they allege Suclea attacked. That person said they could hear “scuffling and muffling and then the victim’s phone went dead.”

Court records say that phone was later found “in a trash bin in the ATG [Truckload] office” with “a bloody fingerprint.”

Investigators say Suclea then fled the company in a branded ATG freightliner equipped with GPS tracking, and they tracked it to Holland, Michigan, where he was arrested and “in possession of a large folding knife.”

Luminol tests would find “blood on the steering wheel” and floorboards of the truck, according to court records.

Suclea is now being held behind bars, without bail, in Cook County, where he is battling cancer, according to a filing from the judge in this case.

Suclea has a court status hearing scheduled for Tuesday, March 18.

Family and friends say Koteski is a well-respected member of the Serbian community who leaves behind a 13-year-old son.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
Monday Morning Minute: Kiss Me, I'm Irish

“The Luck of the Irish: Monday Morning Minute”

TOP O’ THE MORNIN’ Red-Hot at RedState  It is uncertain whether Trump’s…
Record-breaking French comedy series 'bref.2' comes to Hulu for a new season of hilarity

“Exciting News: ‘bref.2’ French Comedy Series Smashes Records on Hulu with New Season”

Launched in 2011, the punchy-humored French series “bref.” took the internet by…
Tutor Christina Formella charged for sexually abusing teen student at Downers Grove South HS, police say

Christina Formella, a tutor, accused of sexual abuse of a teenage student at Downers Grove South High School, according to authorities

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. (WLS) — A tutor has been charged for sexually…
USPS worker convicted of stealing $1.6 million in checks, then spending it on luxury hotels, gentlemen's clubs

Postal Service employee found guilty of taking $1.6 million in checks and using it for extravagant expenses like high-end hotels and entertainment venues

A former employee of the U.S. Postal Service has been found guilty…
Libertyville, Illinois volunteers honored for packing 2.1M meals for children with 'Feed My Starving Children' nonprofit

Libertyville, Illinois volunteers recognized for packing 2.1 million meals for children with ‘Feed My Starving Children’ charity

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. (WLS) — Four women have spent more than a decade…
‘The Bachelor’ Season 29, Episode 7 Recap: Who Went Home After Fantasy Suite Week?

Recap of Season 29, Episode 7 of ‘The Bachelor’: Find Out Who Was Eliminated After Fantasy Suite Dates.

The Bachelor Season 29 is coming to a close with only two…
Who Do Fans Think Will Die In ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3? The Biggest Fan Theories

Predictions on Which Characters Might Meet Their Demise in Season 3 of ‘The White Lotus’ – Popular Fan Theories

As The White Lotus Season 3 ramps up towards its season finale,…
Where Was ‘The Electric State’ Filmed? Discover ‘The Electric State’ Filming Locations

Locations where ‘The Electric State’ Movie was Shot

Despite receiving a low 14 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Electric…
Hollywood stars beg Trump for help after calling him a 'pig' and a 'petty dictator'

“Movie Industry Celebrities Seek Assistance from Trump Despite Prior Criticism”

Many celebrities, including numerous liberals who have previously publicly criticized Donald Trump,…
'Last Days of Gene Hackman': Watch ABC News special Tuesday night

Don’t Miss ABC News Special on Tuesday Night: ‘The Final Days of Gene Hackman’

In Los Angeles, a new special on ABC News Studios will delve…
Luigi Mangione, alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO killer's federal case pushed to April, according to court records

Alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO Killer’s Federal Case Rescheduled to April, Court Records Show

MANHATTAN — Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian…
Missing American college student seen in new hotel security footage before disappearance

New hotel security footage shows missing American college student before vanishing

Missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki is seen in recently released…