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
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Tom DixonAs chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Day’s Jewelers Crafts Custom Jewelry for No.1 NBA Draft Pick Cooper FlaggThe parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
SourcingOct 14, 2025
Pragnell Debuts Kitulo Garnet Jewelry The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.
Weekly QuizOct 09, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent CalendarsThe trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of SalesJewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s CollectionThe line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11MThe rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ CollectionThe champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New CharmsKosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.
CollectionsOct 07, 2025
Jessica McCormack Looks to Sea Spirits for ‘Tempest’ CollectionThe brand’s first high jewelry collection, “Tempest” plays with movement while calling to mind the folklore of the sea.
SourcingOct 07, 2025
Columbia Gem House Announces ‘Opals for Outback Heroes’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.
MajorsOct 07, 2025
Stuller Names Its S.E.R.V.E Stars for 2025Stuller said the recipients embody the company’s core values, which include community participation and personal and professional growth.
WatchesOct 06, 2025
This Fall, Citizen’s Forecast Calls for RainCitizen’s new “Rainell” women’s watch has a raindrop-shaped case and is available with a silver-, gold-, purple-, or green-colored dial.
AuctionsOct 06, 2025
The ‘Rolex That Made Rolex’ Heads to Auction at Sotheby’s The “Mercedes Gleitze Rolex Oyster,” named for the British endurance swimmer who made it famous, will go up for sale next month.
GradingOct 06, 2025
GIA India Names Former De Beers Exec as New Managing DirectorAmit Pratihari was previously the managing director of De Beers India and Forevermark India.
SourcingOct 06, 2025
SoCal 24 Karat Club Integrates Into Diamond Club West CoastMembers of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will gain access to expanded services, resources, and connections, DCWC said.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White MetalsGomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEODiamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire RingTaylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
