Douglas Wayne Gamble, 57, the former owner of Timeless Jeweler in Salem, Ore., has been charged with 11 counts of theft for allegedly not returning customers’ items and swapping natural diamonds with lab-growns, according to a news release from the Salem Police Department.
The release says that Gamble became a “person of interest” after 10 victims reported the loss of their money and property after contracting with Gamble to design, repair, or consign jewelry pieces. His store closed in October 2022, “without notification to customers or the return of their property,” the police department 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,” it stated. “Other customers reported never receiving purchased items or pieces left with the shop for repair, or other services.”
A conservative estimate of the total loss by Gamble’s customers is set at $250,000, according to the police department.
Gamble has been charged with five counts of aggravated theft, and six counts of theft in the first degree.
Per the police department statement, “Detectives ask anyone who has had similar incidents involving Gamble, either through his store or online, to file a police report by calling the police non-emergency line at 503-588-6123 (option 1).”
According to LinkedIn, Gamble had owned the store since 2011. He was a director of Portland Wholesale Jewelry from 2009 to 2016. He could not be reached for comment.
Photo credit: Getty
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