AURORA, Colo. – A 39-year-old man from Aurora is currently in custody in Jefferson County on suspicion of burglary at a store where prominent businessman Peter Arguello was killed during a robbery in November.
Charles Robinson Shay was being tracked by police for a stolen Polestar vehicle which was spotted outside Peter Damien Fine Jewelry and Antiques at 5 a.m. on Dec. 26, the same time a burglary was believed to have occurred. The store had been emptied following the killing of its owner, Peter Arguello.
According to a police affidavit, Shay’s DNA was found on flex cuffs used during the robbery where Arguello was killed. Shay has a criminal record including arrests for theft, possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, and DUI.
Shay admitted to breaking into the store on Dec. 26 but claimed nothing of value was found. However, when confronted with the match of his DNA to that found on the flex cuffs, he abruptly stopped speaking.
Although Shay is currently detained on charges of aggravated motor vehicle theft and second-degree burglary, he has not been charged with the murder of Peter Arguello. There is no information yet on how many people may have been involved in the robbery and murder. The investigation is ongoing.
The fact that two ball caps, similar to ones seen on surveillance video at the store, were found in the back of a burned pickup truck suggests that there may have been multiple individuals involved in the crime. The investigation continues to unfold as authorities work to bring justice for the tragic events that occurred at the store.