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The former owner of Timeless Jewelers in West Salem pleaded guilty to nearly two dozen counts of theft and aggravated theft.
On Sept. 12, West Salem, Oregon, jeweler Douglas Wayne Gamble pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of dollars from his customers between 2018 and 2022.
Salem, Ore.—An Oregon jeweler has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for stealing thousands of dollars from customers over the course of six years by swapping natural diamonds with lab-grown ones and not returning jewelry left for repair, among other schemes.
On Sept. 12, Douglas Wayne Gamble, 58, pleaded guilty to 21 counts of theft and aggravated theft involving 19 customers, according to a news release from the Polk County District Attorney’s Office.
Six counts of first-degree aggravated theft were dismissed as part of his plea deal.
Gamble also pleaded guilty to one count of criminal mistreatment in the first degree and aggravated theft, charges that involve stealing money from a family member, the district attorney’s office said.
A local news report identified that family member as his father.
Gamble was the owner of Timeless Jewelers in West Salem, Oregon, which offered repairs and appraisals, among other services.
It closed suddenly in October 2022, without notifying customers or returning jewelry that had been dropped off on consignment or for repair.
The district attorney’s office said that between 2018 and 2022, Gamble devised numerous schemes to steal and defraud customers of their jewelry, watches, and cash.
Polk County Circuit Judge Rafael A. Caso pronounced the sentence.
Gamble will be required to serve a three-year term of post-prison supervision after he is released.
He also will be required to pay restitution to all victims in all charges.
The district attorney’s office said it is estimated the restitution that will be sought on behalf of the victims will exceed $500,000.
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On Sept. 12, Douglas Wayne Gamble, 58, pleaded guilty to 21 counts of theft and aggravated theft involving 19 customers, according to a news release from the Polk County District Attorney’s Office.
Six counts of first-degree aggravated theft were dismissed as part of his plea deal.
Gamble also pleaded guilty to one count of criminal mistreatment in the first degree and aggravated theft, charges that involve stealing money from a family member, the district attorney’s office said.
A local news report identified that family member as his father.
Gamble was the owner of Timeless Jewelers in West Salem, Oregon, which offered repairs and appraisals, among other services.
It closed suddenly in October 2022, without notifying customers or returning jewelry that had been dropped off on consignment or for repair.
The district attorney’s office said that between 2018 and 2022, Gamble devised numerous schemes to steal and defraud customers of their jewelry, watches, and cash.
Polk County Circuit Judge Rafael A. Caso pronounced the sentence.
Gamble will be required to serve a three-year term of post-prison supervision after he is released.
He also will be required to pay restitution to all victims in all charges.
The district attorney’s office said it is estimated the restitution that will be sought on behalf of the victims will exceed $500,000.
The Salem Police Department, which began receiving reports from a number of Gamble’s customers in late 2022, arrested the jeweler last September.
He was accused of selling lab-grown diamonds as natural, as well as failing to return jewelry left for repair, among other things.
Some customers reported never receiving jewelry they purchased, and others said the jeweler swapped the diamonds in their jewelry with synthetic stones.
In a statement issued following the arrest, police said Gamble scammed victims out of more than $700,000.
In several cases throughout the six-year scheme, the victims were more than 65 years old and lost family heirlooms, the Polk County District Attorney’s Office said in its recent release.
One report said Gamble had melted down a customer’s items.
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