CrimeJan 03, 2024
Suspect in Queens Jewelry Store Robbery ArrestedCrimeJan 12, 2024
DNA Potentially Links Suspect to Murder of Colorado Jeweler
The DNA was recovered from flex cuffs found at the scene of the Nov. 29 murder of Peter Damian Arguello.
Police in Colorado recently arrested a man for burglarizing a jewelry store in the town of Wheat Ridge and an affidavit filed in support of his arrest shows he may also be connected to the store owner’s homicide.
Wheat Ridge, Colorado—A man arrested and charged with burglarizing a Wheat Ridge, Colorado, jewelry store in December also could be connected to the late November murder of the store’s owner, court papers reveal.
Charles Robinson Shay, 41, of Aurora, Colorado, was arrested Dec. 27 and faces charges of felony motor vehicle theft in the second degree, criminal possession of an identification document, and second-degree burglary, according to the Jefferson County (Colorado) District Attorney’s Office.
According to an affidavit filed the day after Shay’s arrest, he admitted to police that he pried open the door and entered Peter Damian Fine Jewelry & Antiques on Dec. 26, but did not take anything because “nothing was there.”
The store’s owner, Peter Damian Arguello, was found shot to death inside his shop on the morning of Nov. 29 in what police then described as a possible robbery homicide.
Shay told police he had heard about the robbery homicide and looked at breaking into the store as a “crime of opportunity” because he knew the business was boarded up and not occupied.
However, evidence recovered from the scene of Arguello’s murder may tell a different story.
According to the affidavit, during the investigation of the murder police found three flex cuffs looped together with a latex glove intertwined on the floor in front of one of the store’s safes. Silver coins had been removed from the safe.
Surveillance video of the robbery homicide shows a male suspect pull a gun on Arguello and try to handcuff the jeweler with the flex cuff. According to the affidavit, Arguello resisted and the man shot him three times.
Police were able to obtain a DNA sample from swabs of the cuffs and on Dec. 8, the Jefferson County Regional Crime Lab found a match via the Combined DNA Index System, better known as CODIS.
Related stories will be right here …
Charles Robinson Shay, 41, of Aurora, Colorado, was arrested Dec. 27 and faces charges of felony motor vehicle theft in the second degree, criminal possession of an identification document, and second-degree burglary, according to the Jefferson County (Colorado) District Attorney’s Office.
According to an affidavit filed the day after Shay’s arrest, he admitted to police that he pried open the door and entered Peter Damian Fine Jewelry & Antiques on Dec. 26, but did not take anything because “nothing was there.”
The store’s owner, Peter Damian Arguello, was found shot to death inside his shop on the morning of Nov. 29 in what police then described as a possible robbery homicide.
Shay told police he had heard about the robbery homicide and looked at breaking into the store as a “crime of opportunity” because he knew the business was boarded up and not occupied.
However, evidence recovered from the scene of Arguello’s murder may tell a different story.
According to the affidavit, during the investigation of the murder police found three flex cuffs looped together with a latex glove intertwined on the floor in front of one of the store’s safes. Silver coins had been removed from the safe.
Surveillance video of the robbery homicide shows a male suspect pull a gun on Arguello and try to handcuff the jeweler with the flex cuff. According to the affidavit, Arguello resisted and the man shot him three times.
Police were able to obtain a DNA sample from swabs of the cuffs and on Dec. 8, the Jefferson County Regional Crime Lab found a match via the Combined DNA Index System, better known as CODIS.
According to the affidavit, the DNA came back as a match for Shay, a self-described “habitual criminal” who’s had prior convictions for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute (2005), motor vehicle theft and vehicular eluding (2006), identity theft (habitual offender), and theft by receiving (2012).
He is currently wanted in California on a felony warrant for motor vehicle theft.
When police told Shay that his DNA had been found on the flex cuffs recovered from the murder scene, he stopped talking, the affidavit states.
On the day Arguello was murdered, witnesses said they saw two people leaving through the back door of the jewelry store and driving away in a red Chevy Silverado pickup truck, which authorities later determined had been stolen.
Police recovered the truck on Dec. 1 in Centennial, Colorado. It had been set on fire and “heavily damaged,” according to the affidavit, though police were able to recover two hats from the bed of the truck that were only partially burned.
The hats matched those worn by the two individuals seen fleeing the jewelry store after Arguello’s murder.
Wheat Ridge police said they are not releasing any more information about the investigation at this time.
More on Crime
The Latest
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
GradingNov 12, 2025
It’s Time: GIA’s Express Holiday Service Is Back GIA is offering next-day services for natural, colorless diamonds submitted to its labs in New York and Carlsbad.
MajorsNov 10, 2025
Jewelers Focus on Love, Joy In 2025 Holiday Campaigns Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Pandora have launched holiday campaigns depicting their jewelry as symbols of affection and happiness.
SurveysNov 10, 2025
5 Things Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearThe National Retail Federation is bullish on the holidays, forecasting retail sales to exceed $1 trillion this year.
AuctionsNov 10, 2025
300+ Colored Diamonds Up for Auction at Christie’sLate collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
