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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
SourcingJun 05, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsJun 01, 2026
Design Atelier Brands Have a Big Night at Emotional Couture Design AwardsThe show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerThe author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
