Theft!
- Sally Davis
- Sep 15, 2024
- 2 min read
It’s funny how someone you trust with your most precious items – wedding rings, heirlooms, the occasional grandmother’s brooch – can so easily become the villain of your own personal crime drama. But that’s exactly what happened in West Salem. The jeweler, whose face you’ve probably passed by a dozen times, polite smile, glasses balanced on the nose, the perfect portrait of small-town honesty, turned out to be none of that.
That guy – Brian W. Shirley, age 61, a jeweler with a local shop, was just sentenced to a cool 20 years in federal prison for what can only be described as jewel thievery on steroids. I mean, stealing from one customer? That’s bad enough. But this guy swindled **21 customers** out of their prized possessions. His “method” – let’s call it – was one that takes audacity to a new level. People brought in their valuables for repair, resizing, or some touch-up. And instead of fixing them, Shirley sold the jewelry to dealers. His customers? Left hanging, no ring in hand, no closure – literally or figuratively.
It wasn’t just small-time theft, though. We’re talking over **$500,000** in losses. That’s a half-million dollars. He started his dirty work in **October 2018** and finally got caught in **October 2020**. That’s two years of being the town’s most reliable “jeweler” and secretly running a one-man fencing operation. He didn’t stop at selling the jewelry – the guy was pocketing the cash like a gambler on a winning streak.
In court, **Wednesday, September 11, 2024**, the whole house of cards came tumbling down. **Shirley** pleaded guilty to **two counts** of first-degree aggravated theft and **two counts** of felony identity theft. And, as if karma wasn’t enough, he was also sentenced to **20 years** without parole. The prosecution made sure he paid restitution to those he conned, but the emotional damage? That’s a bit trickier to put a dollar amount on.
But the most stunning part is that people still wonder: How could he do this? What was he thinking when he sold that wedding band or those diamond earrings? Did he even blink? Maybe he didn’t. Maybe, for him, there was no line to cross.
If there’s a lesson in all this, it’s not to hand over your most prized possessions to the man whose smile is just a bit too wide.
We don't offer subscriptions, but your support makes a difference:
A QUICK REQUEST— If you found this story valuable, please consider donating to the **Willamette Valley Observer**. The work of local professionals like ours thrives on community support. Your contribution, regardless of size, is easy, secure, and deeply appreciated!
Comments