Texas man Jaythan Gilder has been charged after allegedly stealing and swallowing $769,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. diamond earrings in a failed heist, according to multiple reports.
Authorities say the 32-year-old impersonated a representative for an Orlando Magic player to gain access to high-end jewelry at the Florida Tiffany & Co. store on February 26. Store employees led him to a VIP room, where he was shown luxury items, including diamond earrings and a ring.
Surveillance footage reviewed by Fox 35 Orlando captured Gilder grabbing jewelry from a display and attempting to flee. He allegedly took two pairs of diamond earrings valued at $769,500 and a $587,000 ring, though the ring was later recovered by police.
Law enforcement tracked Gilder’s vehicle on Interstate 10 in Washington County, Florida, heading toward Texas. During a traffic stop, he was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, though the stolen earrings were not found on him at the time, WFLA reported.
However, an arrest affidavit obtained by WKMG stated that Gilder swallowed multiple items during his arrest on February 28. A body scan conducted in jail later revealed “foreign objects” inside Jaythan Gilder’s stomach, which investigators suspect are the missing Tiffany & Co. earrings.
While in custody, Gilder allegedly asked jail staff if he would be “charged with what’s in my stomach” and expressed regret, saying, “I should have thrown them out the window.”
He now faces charges of first-degree grand theft and robbery with a mask. Authorities also revealed he had 48 outstanding warrants in Colorado and was linked to a 2022 Tiffany & Co. robbery in Houston.
#Clique, what are your thoughts?
