CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerCrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado Jeweler
Peter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
Shortly after the November 2023 murder of jeweler Peter Damian Arguello, the community held a vigil outside his store, Peter Damian Fine Jewelry & Antiques. Last week, one of the two men charged in connection with Arguello’s murder was found guilty of first-degree murder, among other charges. (Photo courtesy of @WheatRidgePD on X)
Wheat Ridge, Colo.—A jury in Jefferson County, Colorado, has convicted the man charged in the November 2023 murder of a jeweler in a Denver suburb.
According to an update from the Colorado First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, which serves Jefferson and Gilpin counties, 42-year-old Charles Robinson Shay was found guilty on all 11 charges brought against him in connection with the death of Peter Damian Arguello.
Arguello, 64, was the owner of Peter Damian Fine Jewelry & Antiques in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
Police found Arguello dead inside of his jewelry store on the morning of Nov. 29, 2023, and began investigating the case as a possible robbery homicide.
They were looking for two men.
One was caught on surveillance video inside the store and was seen attempting to bind Arguello with flex cuffs before shooting him, while another was seen fleeing the scene with the first suspect.
Witnesses told police they saw two men leave through the back door of the jewelry store and jump in a red Chevy Silverado pickup truck that, police later determined, had been stolen and was found torched.
On Dec. 27, 2023, police arrested Shay and charged him with second-degree burglary, as well as felony motor vehicle theft in the second degree and criminal possession of an identification document, after he admitted to police that on Dec. 26, he had pried open the door and entered Peter Damian Fine Jewelry & Antiques.
According to an affidavit filed after Shay’s arrest, he told police he’d heard about the robbery homicide and decided to break in and steal what he could from the store because he knew it was unoccupied.
Ultimately, though, there was nothing in the store for him to take, Shay said.
Evidence recovered from the scene indicated that Shay knew more about Arguello’s murder than he was telling police, as DNA recovered from the flex cuffs left at the scene came back to Shay via the Combined DNA Index System, better known as CODIS.
Shay was charged in Arguello’s murder a couple weeks later, on Jan. 18, 2024.
Related stories will be right here …
According to an update from the Colorado First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, which serves Jefferson and Gilpin counties, 42-year-old Charles Robinson Shay was found guilty on all 11 charges brought against him in connection with the death of Peter Damian Arguello.
Arguello, 64, was the owner of Peter Damian Fine Jewelry & Antiques in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
Police found Arguello dead inside of his jewelry store on the morning of Nov. 29, 2023, and began investigating the case as a possible robbery homicide.
They were looking for two men.
One was caught on surveillance video inside the store and was seen attempting to bind Arguello with flex cuffs before shooting him, while another was seen fleeing the scene with the first suspect.
Witnesses told police they saw two men leave through the back door of the jewelry store and jump in a red Chevy Silverado pickup truck that, police later determined, had been stolen and was found torched.
On Dec. 27, 2023, police arrested Shay and charged him with second-degree burglary, as well as felony motor vehicle theft in the second degree and criminal possession of an identification document, after he admitted to police that on Dec. 26, he had pried open the door and entered Peter Damian Fine Jewelry & Antiques.
According to an affidavit filed after Shay’s arrest, he told police he’d heard about the robbery homicide and decided to break in and steal what he could from the store because he knew it was unoccupied.
Ultimately, though, there was nothing in the store for him to take, Shay said.
Evidence recovered from the scene indicated that Shay knew more about Arguello’s murder than he was telling police, as DNA recovered from the flex cuffs left at the scene came back to Shay via the Combined DNA Index System, better known as CODIS.
Shay was charged in Arguello’s murder a couple weeks later, on Jan. 18, 2024.
According to the DA’s office, Shay’s trial lasted seven days, with deliberations beginning on Aug. 4 and the jury returning guilty verdicts on 10 of the 11 counts on the afternoon of Aug. 6.
There then was a second phase of the trial during which the jury weighed an 11th charge, called “habitual criminal,” that, under Colorado law, could add to Shay’s prison sentence.
Jurors heard from four additional witnesses about Shay’s six prior convictions and, after deliberating for an hour, found him guilty of being a habitual criminal, concluding that the prior convictions were “separate and distinct” criminal episodes, the DA’s office said.
Charles Robinson Shay, right, was found guilty in the murder of jeweler Peter Damian Arguello, while Michael McCormack’s trial is scheduled to start later this month. (Photos courtesy of the Wheat Ridge Police Department)
The other charges the jury found Shay guilty of are: murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, second-degree kidnapping, aggravated robbery, second-degree motor vehicle theft, second-degree arson, tampering with physical evidence, second-degree motor vehicle theft, and second-degree burglary.
His sentencing is set for Sept. 10, the DA’s office said, and he faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole on the first-degree murder charge alone.
The second man arrested and charged in connection with Arguello’s murder, 51-year-old Michael McCormack, is slated to go to trial Aug. 22.
More on Crime
The Latest
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
