Jeweler Sentenced to 20 Years for Theft
September 19, 24
(IDEX Online) - A US jeweler has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after he admitted stealing or defrauding his customers of their jewelry, watches, heirlooms and cash.
In some cases he resold items or melted them down.
Douglas Wayne Gamble, 58, was arrested after his Timeless Jewelers store in West Salem, Oregon, suddenly closed in October 2022.
He subsequently pleaded guilty to 21 counts of theft and aggravated theft. He also pleaded guilty to one count of criminal mistreatment in the first degree and aggravated theft involving the stealing of money from a family member.
Gamble will have to pay over $500,000 restitution to his victims, the Polk County District Attorney's Office said in a statement.
"Between 2018 and 2022, Gamble engaged in numerous schemes to outright steal or otherwise defraud his victims of precious jewelry, watches, and cash," it said.
"In several cases the victims were over 65 years of age and lost family heirlooms."
Gamble surrendered to detectives without incident last September. At the time local police said: "In some cases, customers reported lab-grown stones were sold to them as natural diamonds, or diamond jewelry settings were swapped with synthetic stones.
"Other customers reported never receiving purchased items or pieces left with the shop for repair, or other services."