AURORA, Colo. – A 39-year-old man from Aurora, Colorado, is currently in custody in Jefferson County for a burglary at a store where beloved local businessman Peter Arguello was killed during a robbery in late November.
Charles Robinson Shay, 39, was being tracked by police in a stolen Polestar vehicle, which was spotted outside Peter Damien Fine Jewelry and Antiques around 5 a.m. on Dec. 26. It is believed that a burglar attempted to break in at that time.
The store had been empty after the killing of store owner Peter Arguello. An affidavit filed for the burglary and motor vehicle theft showed that DNA found on flex cuffs used during the killing of Arguello matched that of Shay.
Shay has a criminal record including arrests for theft, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and DUI.
Police spotted the stolen Polestar vehicle outside Shay’s home in Aurora and got court approval to track it. The vehicle showed up at the jewelry store during the Dec. 26 break-in, leading to Shay’s arrest the following day.
Shay admitted to prying open the rear door of the store and breaking in, but claimed he did not take anything because nothing was there. He has not been charged in the killing of Peter Arguello.
There is no information on how many people may have been involved in the robbery and murder, but two ball caps resembling those seen on surveillance video from the store were found in the back of the burned pickup truck that was linked to the crime.