Man Allegedly Swallows Tiffany & Co. Earrings Worth $769K After Robbery at Florida Store: Reports

Man Allegedly Swallows Tiffany & Co. Earrings Worth $769K After Robbery: Reports

A man is facing charges after reportedly swallowing Tiffany & Co. earrings worth $769,000 following a robbery attempt, as per multiple sources. Jaythan Gilder is accused of ingesting two pairs of diamond earrings after a failed heist at the Tiffany & Co. store located at the Mall at Millenia in Orlando, Florida on February 26. Reports from local outlets such as WFLA, Fox 35 Orlando, and WKMG have shed light on the startling incident.

According to an arrest affidavit from the Orlando Police Department, Gilder, aged 32, allegedly gained access to the valuable earrings by pretending to be a representative for an Orlando Magic player interested in making a purchase. Subsequently, he was escorted to a VIP room where the earrings were showcased. Surveillance footage obtained by Fox 35 Orlando captured Gilder, a Texas native, snatching jewelry from a store counter in his attempt to abscond with the items.

The stolen loot included two pairs of diamond earrings valued at a staggering $769,500 collectively, and a ring worth $587,000, the latter of which was later recovered by law enforcement. Following the robbery, police located Gilder’s vehicle on Interstate 10 in Washington County, en route to Texas, and he was apprehended for resisting arrest during a traffic stop. Although the stolen jewellery was not found on him at the time, Gilder’s arrest on February 28 revealed a twist – he had allegedly swallowed several items, as detailed in the arrest affidavit reported by WKMG.

During his arrest, authorities noted “foreign objects” in Gilder’s stomach through a body scan conducted while in custody. These objects were suspected to be the missing Tiffany & Co. earrings taken during the robbery. The confirmation of the items would have to wait until they passed through Gilder’s system. Per the arrest affidavit, Gilder reportedly questioned jail staff about the potential consequences of what he had swallowed, further stating, “I should have thrown them out the window.”

Jaythan Gilder has been charged with first-degree grand theft and robbery while concealing his identity. Additionally, he is reported to have 48 outstanding warrants issued from Colorado. Reports mentioned by Fox 35 Orlando indicated that authorities discovered various incriminating items, such as Tiffany & Co. earring forms, price tags, receipts, and a cell phone, inside Gilder’s vehicle, further linking him to the crime.

This is not the first time Gilder has been implicated in a robbery involving Tiffany & Co. In 2022, he was connected to a heist at a store in Houston after forensic evidence, a strand of hair from his beard, was found at the scene by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Gilder has a history of multiple theft-related arrests spanning over the past 13 years, according to available reports.

Efforts to glean a statement from the Orlando Police Department regarding this bizarre incident are currently ongoing. Jaythan Gilder’s peculiar case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths some individuals may go to in their criminal pursuits, highlighting the ingenuity and audacity displayed in executing such unlawful acts.