A Lyons man was killed before his Crestwood trucking business was set on fire last week.
Dane Koteski, 46, of Lyons, was stabbed in the neck, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. His death was ruled a homicide.
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.
The suspect’s identity has not been released because Crestwood police and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office are waiting for him to be extradited to Illinois.
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 pay for his son’s education. It had raised more than $94,000 as of Monday.
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