Owner: Vehicle not used in crime

The homicide took place last week on the East Side. The suspect is at large.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A murder suspect's former employer who fears for the safety of his family and workers says a company van was not used in the crime.
"I don't know what to do," said Anthony McCeachy, owner of Fabulous Finishes Building Maintenance on Sunshine Avenue. "My workers got chased out of Victory Estates by young guys with shotguns."
McCeachy said Tuesday that a white van was reportedly seen leaving the scene after 19-year-old Corey Stone was shot outside an apartment in the 1100 block of Sunshine, in the Victory Estates, last week. Stone, of Dignan Street, died in St. Elizabeth Health Center on Thursday evening.
A murder warrant was issued the next day for 23-year-old Andre Maxwell, whose last known address was First Street. Maxwell, featured Monday in The Vindicator as the U.S. Marshals fugitive of the week, was still at large Tuesday.
McCeachy said Maxwell once worked for Fabulous Finishes but was let go about three weeks ago. If a white van was seen at the shooting it wasn't a Fabulous Finishes van, which is clearly marked, the business owner said. He added that the van was in his driveway on Sunshine with a flat tire when the shooting took place.
"I'm afraid for my family and my workers," McCeachy said. "We have no association with Andre; we don't know where he's at. We gave him a chance [to work] because his grandmother lives across the street."
McCeachy said he sent his fianc & eacute;e and two children to stay with family in New Jersey for the time being out of concern for their welfare. He fears being targeted by friends of the homicide victim who are trying to find Maxwell.
The young men with shotguns who threatened Fabulous Finishes workers wore T-shirts with "Rest in peace" on them, McCeachy said. "We pray everyone stays safe," he said.
Criminal record
Mahoning County Common Pleas Court records show Maxwell was charged with two counts of felonious assault in June 2005. Reports show he and another man were accused of shooting at an occupied car.
Maxwell reached a plea agreement and pleaded guilty earlier this month and sentencing was set for Sept. 19, records show.
He also was convicted of receiving stolen property and sentenced to probation in March 2004.
meade@vindy.com