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
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
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.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
