An employee of a trucking company in the southwest suburbs has been charged in the murder of the company's president and CEO, as reported by FOX 32 Chicago. Josif Suclea was charged on Saturday with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Dane Koletski, chief executive of ATG Truckload. Suclea, who was employed by the company, was found by authorities at a truck stop in Holland, Michigan, and after extradition back to Illinois, charges were filed.
The investigation into the incident began on March 5th, when Crestwood Fire Services responded to a call of a building fire within the company's premises. After the fire was subdued, Koletski's body was found inside, the scene soon becoming the crux of a murder and arson investigation led by Crestwood police and several other agencies. According to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, Koletski's death was ruled a homicide, with the cause being neck injuries inflicted by a sharp object, as stated in WGN-TV's report.
ATG Truckload, situated at 13835 South Kostner Avenue in Crestwood where the event took place, had been led by Koletski as described on the company's website, The subsequent investigation identified Suclea as a suspect after task force investigators pieced together the available evidence, which led them to arrest him in Michigan a day after the discovery of Koletski's body.
In light of the incident, the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, along with the State Fire Marshals, have been working in collaboration on the case. The crime has been considered an isolated event that targeted Koletski specifically: "The crime was deemed to be an isolated incident that specifically targeted the victim," according to WGN-TV. Suclea is expected to face his bond hearing at the Cook County court, with the legal process continuing to unfold.
