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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The Latest
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
