DALLAS (OR) – Douglas Wayne Gamble, 58, was sentenced today to serve 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to 21 counts of theft and aggravated theft involving 19 customers of a jewelry store he operated in West Salem. Gamble also plead guilty to one count of criminal mistreatment in the first degree and aggravated theft involving the stealing of money from a family member. 

Gamble, of Portland, appeared before Polk County Circuit Judge Rafael A. Caso, who pronounced the sentence after Gamble had previously entered pleas of guilty to 14 counts of Aggravated Theft in the First Degree, six counts of Theft in the First Degree, two counts of Theft in the Second Degree, and one count of Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree. After he is released from prison, Gamble will be required to serve a three year term of post-prison supervision. The state dismissed six counts of Aggravated Theft in the First Degree pursuant to the plea agreement. Gamble will also be required to pay restitution to all the victims in all the charges. It is estimated that the restitution to be sought on behalf of the victims will exceed $500,000.

Gamble owned and operated Timeless Jewelers, located at 1105 Edgewater Street NW, in West Salem. Between 2018 and 2022, Gamble engaged in numerous schemes to outright steal or otherwise defraud his victims of precious jewelry, watches, and cash. In several cases the victims were over 65 years of age and lost family heirlooms. In a separate case, Gamble was prosecuted for depleting an elderly family member’s savings of approximately $380,000.

The case was investigated by the Salem Police Department. It was prosecuted by District Attorney Aaron Felton and Deputy District Attorney Connor Amundson of the Polk County District Attorney’s Office.