An Arizona man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Lyons business owner Dane Koteski.
Josif Suclea, 52, was extradited from Michigan to Illinois over the weekend and subsequently charged with murder. He had a hearing on Sunday and was ordered to be detained at Cook County Jail.
Koteski, 46, was stabbed in the neck and his Crestwood trucking business was set on fire March 5. Police have released no motive for the murder. Suclea was an employee at the business.
Koteski’s body was later found on the second floor of his business, ATG Truckload, 13835 S. Kostner Ave., by Crestwood firefighters.
Crestwood police and firefighters responded to calls of heavy smoke at the business about 4 p.m. March 5.
A small fire was quickly extinguished before firefighters discovered Koteski’s body on the second floor amidst heavy smoke.
An arson investigation was started by the State Fire Marshal’s Office while Crestwood police and the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force began a death investigation.
Investigators soon identified a possible suspect who was an employee of the trucking firm. Police said it appeared Koteski was targeted by the suspect.
Investigators were able to track the suspect to a truck stop in Holland, Mich.
Task force officers and the Holland Police Department arrested the suspect around 5:15 a.m.
ATG Truckload was a family-owned business founded in 2010 that hauled refrigerated trailers, according to its website.
A gofundme fundraiser has been established to cover funeral expenses and to help his son’s education. It had raised more than $100,000 as of Monday.
Koteski was originally from Macedonia and was an active member of a local Serbian church and car club.