Trio Sentenced For Murder, Robbery Spree In Ohio

CLEVELAND — Three men have been sentenced for a nearly month-long crime spree through Cleveland, University Heights and Maple Heights.

Keyshawn Smith, 20, Andre McKelvey, 19, and Robert McKelvey, 22, were sentenced for the murder of a Cleveland beverage store owner and multiple armed robberies. The trio targeted stores and gas stations in three cities.

“Few crime sprees outmatch the havoc that this group inflicted upon our community, which sadly resulted in the death of Mr. Shahin,” Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley said. “I hope that the sentences imposed today bring some peace to his family.”

On Feb. 5, 2019, Cleveland police were called to a robbery at a beverage store in Cleveland on Lakeview Road and Durant Avenue. A man at the store, a 33-year-old from Rocky River, had been shot in the head. He was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead.

Investigators connected Smith, McKelvey and McKelvey Jr. to the robbery. Smith was identified as the shooter, prosecutors said.

The trio were also linked to the following robberies:

• Jan. 13, 2019 – Maple Heights dollar store (near Dunham Road / Wheeler Road)
• Jan. 28, 2019 – Cleveland dollar store (near East 103rd Street / St. Clair Avenue)
• Jan. 28, 2019 – Cleveland dollar store (near West 130th Street / Wilton Avenue)
• Jan. 28, 2019 – University Heights cellphone store (near Warrensville Center Road / Lansdale Road)
• Feb. 2, 2019 – University Heights gas station (near South Green Road / Cedar Road)
• Feb. 2, 2019 – Cleveland gas station (near West 117th Street / Bellaire Road)
• Feb. 2, 2019 – Cleveland gas station (near East 185th Street / Shawnee Avenue)

Smith pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and aggravated robbery. He was sentenced to life in prison, with eligibility for parole after serving 30 years. He was also charged for another dollar store robbery in Cleveland.

McKelvey and McKelvey Jr. both pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated robbery, and were sentenced to 21 years and 14 years in prison, respectively.