Co-worker held in Burr Ridge workplace slaying

A Chicago man has been charged with murdering his co-worker at the trucking company near Burr Ridge where they both worked, prosecutors annouonced Monday.

John Gilbert, 45, was charged Saturday with first-degree murder and unlawful communication with a witness and given no bond. The charges came exactly one month after 38-year-old Jason Dragos was found shot to death on the second floor of the SAIA Trucking Co. terminal on the 15W400 block of North Frontage Road, according to a news release from DuPage County State's Attorney Joseph Birkett.

Investigators believe Gilbert and Dragos met at the offices Feb. 8 to prepare for a business meeting they both were supposed to attend that day, according to the release. A Birkett spokesman said Gilbert was Dragos' supervisor.

Dragos' wife reported him missing to local police the next day when he didn't return to their Highland, Ind. home. Detectives found his car at the trucking company's office the next day.

Court papers indicate Dragos was shot once in the back of the head. The records don't specify why Gilbert is charged with communicating with a witness. The first-degree murder charge carries a minimum sentence of 20 to 60 years in prison. Gilbert's next court date is scheduled for April 6.

Prior to his arrest on murder charges, Gilbert's only other run-in with law enforcement in DuPage County came in August 1997 when he was charged with drunken driving in Burr Ridge. He pleaded guilty to the offense in November of that year.