CrimeMay 02, 2024
4 Indicted in Burglary Ring Targeting Indian, South Asian FamiliesCrimeMay 03, 2024
Second Suspect Arrested in Murder of Colorado Jeweler
Wheat Ridge, Colorado police took a 50-year-old man into custody Wednesday following a two-month search.
Michael McCormack, left, and Charles Robinson Shay both face murder charges in the Nov. 29 death of jeweler Peter Damian Arguello, who owned Peter Damian Fine Jewelry & Antiques in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. (Photos provided by the Wheat Ridge Police Department)
Wheat Ridge, Colorado—Police in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge have arrested a second suspect in the murder of Peter Damian Arguello, who was shot and killed in his jewelry store in November.
Late Thursday, the Wheat Ridge Police Department announced the arrest of Michael McCormack, 50.
McCormack faces charges of second-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and second-degree motor vehicle theft, police said.
He is the alleged accomplice of 41-year-old Charles Robinson Shay of Aurora, Colorado, whom police arrested in December after DNA recovered from a pair of flex cuffs found in Arguello’s store linked him to the crime.
Shay was charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder on Jan. 18.
Related stories will be right here …
Late Thursday, the Wheat Ridge Police Department announced the arrest of Michael McCormack, 50.
McCormack faces charges of second-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and second-degree motor vehicle theft, police said.
He is the alleged accomplice of 41-year-old Charles Robinson Shay of Aurora, Colorado, whom police arrested in December after DNA recovered from a pair of flex cuffs found in Arguello’s store linked him to the crime.
Shay was charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder on Jan. 18.
Arguello, 64, owned Peter Damian Fine Jewelry & Antiques, located on W. 38th Avenue in Wheat Ridge, which is about 20 minutes northwest of Denver.
According to an affidavit filed at the time of Shay’s arrest, videos of the robbery homicide show that one man pulled a gun on Arguello and attempted to bind him with the flex cuffs.
Arguello resisted, the affidavit states, and the man shot him three times.
Two persons were seen leaving the jewelry store through the back door and fleeing the scene in a red Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, which police later determined had been stolen in Glendale, Colorado, the month before the murder.
On Dec. 1, police found the red pickup truck in Centennial, Colorado.
According to the affidavit, it had been set on fire and was badly damaged, but police recovered two hats from the bed of the truck that matched the hats worn by the suspects seen fleeing the scene of Arguello’s murder.
The Wheat Ridge Police Department said Thursday that it issued the arrest warrant for McCormack on March 7 and had been trying to track him down ever since.
With the help of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Wheat Ridge detectives located McCormack in the Black Hawk area, about 40 miles west of Denver.
He was taken into custody Wednesday with the help of the sheriff’s office and the Black Hawk Police Department.
More on Crime
The Latest
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
