CrimeJan 12, 2024
Dateline to Feature Ted Shaughnessy CaseCrimeJan 19, 2024
Police Seek Murder Charges in Death of Colorado Jeweler
The recommendation comes after DNA linked a burglary suspect to the November shooting death of Peter Damian Arguello.
The Wheat Ridge Police Department is recommending the district attorney charge Charles Robinson Shay in the Nov. 29 murder of Peter Damian Arguello, owner of Peter Damian Fine Jewelry & Antiques.
Wheat Ridge, Colorado—Law enforcement officials in Colorado are one step closer to filing charges in the Nov. 29 shooting death of jeweler Peter Damian Arguello.
On Thursday, the police department in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge announced it was recommending the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, which covers the Colorado counties of Jefferson and Gilpin, charge Charles Robinson Shay of Aurora, Colorado, in the jeweler’s death.
The 41-year-old Shay was arrested Dec. 27 on charges related to burglarizing Arguello’s store, Peter Damian Fine Jewelry & Antiques.
According to the affidavit filed at the time of his arrest, Shay admitted during an interview with police that he had entered the closed jewelry store on Dec. 26 after prying open the door.
He said he had heard about Arguello’s murder and viewed the burglary as a “crime of opportunity” because he knew the store wasn’t occupied, but he didn’t take anything because “nothing was there.”
Shay stopped talking when police told him his DNA had been found on a pair of flex cuffs left at the scene of the murder, the affidavit states.
Related stories will be right here …
On Thursday, the police department in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge announced it was recommending the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, which covers the Colorado counties of Jefferson and Gilpin, charge Charles Robinson Shay of Aurora, Colorado, in the jeweler’s death.
The 41-year-old Shay was arrested Dec. 27 on charges related to burglarizing Arguello’s store, Peter Damian Fine Jewelry & Antiques.
According to the affidavit filed at the time of his arrest, Shay admitted during an interview with police that he had entered the closed jewelry store on Dec. 26 after prying open the door.
He said he had heard about Arguello’s murder and viewed the burglary as a “crime of opportunity” because he knew the store wasn’t occupied, but he didn’t take anything because “nothing was there.”
Shay stopped talking when police told him his DNA had been found on a pair of flex cuffs left at the scene of the murder, the affidavit states.
The Wheat Ridge Police Department is recommending the district attorney’s office charge Shay with first-degree murder, a class 1 felony in Colorado, as well as two counts of murder in the second degree, a class 2 felony.
“We think about the Arguello family every day, and our resolve to bring them justice drives our investigators throughout this process,” the department stated in a news release.
Police have declined to provide any additional information on the case, citing the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Wheat Ridge Police Department tip line at 303-235-2903.
More on Crime
The Latest
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
Claire’s Revamps Piercing Services for Second Time in Three Years The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
FinancialsAug 06, 2026
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 6%, Driven by High-Income ShoppersThe retailer said it had its biggest Mother’s Day ever, with strong demand for higher-priced jewelry.
TrendsAug 06, 2026
New Book on Handcrafted American Objects Highlights Jewelry“Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America” features historic and contemporary works, including a Diné squash blossom necklace.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
AJA East Coast Names Ani Khachian as First Female President-ElectThe Armenian Jewelers Association’s East Coast chapter has also elected its 2026–2027 board of directors.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Private Equity Firm Wants to Buy 100+ JCPenney StoresOnyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Atlanta Jeweler Introduces $10K MartiniSolomon Brothers Jewelers has partnered with local cocktail bar Roaring Social on a new martini garnished with a tennis necklace.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Another Member of the Siegel Family Joins Hamilton Jewelers Benjamin Siegel, son of President and CEO Hank Siegel, started working for the family business this week.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Bulgari Opens Store in San DiegoThe new space features a modern design that blends Bulgari’s Roman heritage with San Diego’s coastal spirit.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Pandora Hires Former Signet Board Member to Lead North American MarketAndré Branch has more than 25 years of experience with various brands, most recently serving as CEO of Ariana Grande’s cosmetics company.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Sasha Primak Acquires GemlokNew York-based atelier Gemlok is best known for creating the innovative “bridge” setting that became popular in the bridal market.
CollectionsAug 04, 2026
Musician Carlos Santana Launches Jewelry BrandSantana Now's debut collection, “Unidad,” features symbolic motifs as well as pieces of wood from the Woodstock stage.
CrimeAug 03, 2026
Florida Man Gets 15 Years in Trio of Jewelry Store RobberiesThe 50-year-old man pleaded guilty earlier this year to robbing two jewelry stores and a pawn shop of more than $700,000 in merchandise.
WatchesAug 03, 2026
Citizen's New Spider-Man Watch Is a Collector’s DreamThe watch’s dial features an original design by Marvel comics illustrator Adam Kubert.
Lab-GrownAug 03, 2026
Chatham Releases First Men’s CollectionThe new collection of lab-grown diamond and colored gemstone jewelry provides a “fresh perspective” on the category, Chatham said.
TrendsAug 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Spinel vs. Peridot While some August babies are team peridot, the month's time-honored birthstone, others are team spinel, the newer alternative.
TrendsJul 31, 2026
These Pieces of the Week Are Sweet Edina Kiss’ “Popsicle” pendant and Karina Choudhrie’s “Ice Cream” charm satisfy that summer craving for a sweet piece of jewelry.
MajorsJul 31, 2026
Macy’s Iconic Red Shopping Bag Sign Torn DownThe massive billboard has been in the same spot on the department store’s Herald Square flagship store for decades.
SourcingJul 31, 2026
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Jumps 72%The miner’s ruby and emerald auctions brought in a combined $102.9 million.
SourcingJul 30, 2026
De Beers Sale in ‘Final, Most Challenging’ Phase, Anglo CEO SaysThe goal is for the De Beers sale to be finished by the second half of 2026, with the subsequent approvals process expected to take a year.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
