Florida Jewelry heist takes bizarre turn as suspect swallows stolen earrings
Pranjal Chandra | Mar 05, 2025, 22:42 IST
( Image credit : TIL Creatives )
A Florida man, Jaythan Gilder, attempted to evade capture for stealing diamond earrings worth $769,500 from Tiffany & Co. by swallowing the loot. This bold move followed his arrest by the Florida Highway Patrol, and he is now in custody, facing numerous charges.
In a case that sounds more like a Hollywood script than real life, a Florida jewelry thief attempted to make his grand escape in an unusual way—by swallowing his stolen loot. The incident, which unfolded at an upscale Tiffany & Co. in Orlando’s Mall at Millenia, has left police and legal experts baffled over the extreme lengths some criminals will go to cover their tracks.
Jaythan Gilder, 32, allegedly entered the luxury jewelry store on February 26, posing as a representative for a professional athlete. According to Orlando police, Gilder expressed interest in multiple high-value pieces of jewelry before being shown two pairs of diamond earrings worth a staggering $769,500. Surveillance footage shows Gilder sitting at a table inside the store with the earrings and a necklace laid out in front of him. But in a swift move, he grabbed the earrings and fled the store.
Mall security and local authorities were quickly alerted, setting off a chase that ended when the Florida Highway Patrol apprehended Gilder. But before officers could search him, he allegedly took a drastic step—swallowing what police believe to be the stolen earrings.
Orlando police later released an X-ray image, purportedly showing foreign objects inside Gilder’s abdomen. Experts say this kind of maneuver is not only risky but could also pose serious health complications. “Swallowing jewelry, especially pieces with sharp edges like earrings, can cause significant internal damage,” said Dr. Amanda Lopez, a medical toxicologist. “It’s not a foolproof way to hide evidence, and in most cases, the items have to be surgically removed or retrieved naturally.”
Authorities have not confirmed whether they have recovered the stolen earrings, citing an ongoing investigation. When asked for an update, an Orlando police spokesperson declined to comment, stating, “No additional information is available at this time.”
Gilder is no stranger to law enforcement. Authorities say he pulled off a similar heist in 2022 at another Tiffany & Co. location in The Woodlands, Texas. In addition to that incident, he is reportedly wanted in Colorado, where he has an astounding 48 outstanding warrants.
Criminal justice expert and former federal prosecutor Michael Sterling says cases like Gilder’s highlight an evolving trend in high-end retail theft. “Luxury jewelers have become prime targets for criminals who understand that these small, high-value items are easy to conceal and difficult to track once stolen,” Sterling explained. “But swallowing the evidence? That’s something you don’t see every day.”
Gilder is currently in custody in Orange County, but it remains unclear if he has secured legal representation. If convicted, he could face significant jail time for grand theft, along with additional charges related to prior offenses.
With police tight-lipped on whether the stolen earrings have been retrieved, the mystery surrounding this bizarre heist continues. While law enforcement remains focused on recovering the stolen property, medical professionals caution that retrieving evidence from a suspect in this manner is not an immediate process.
For now, the case serves as a reminder of the desperate and sometimes extreme measures criminals take when faced with capture. Whether Gilder’s stomach will ultimately give up the evidence remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—this is a jewelry heist the Orlando police won’t soon forget.
A high-stakes heist with a desperate escape
Mall security and local authorities were quickly alerted, setting off a chase that ended when the Florida Highway Patrol apprehended Gilder. But before officers could search him, he allegedly took a drastic step—swallowing what police believe to be the stolen earrings.
Police and medical evidence
Authorities have not confirmed whether they have recovered the stolen earrings, citing an ongoing investigation. When asked for an update, an Orlando police spokesperson declined to comment, stating, “No additional information is available at this time.”
A repeat offender with a warrant trail
Criminal justice expert and former federal prosecutor Michael Sterling says cases like Gilder’s highlight an evolving trend in high-end retail theft. “Luxury jewelers have become prime targets for criminals who understand that these small, high-value items are easy to conceal and difficult to track once stolen,” Sterling explained. “But swallowing the evidence? That’s something you don’t see every day.”
Legal consequences and unanswered questions
With police tight-lipped on whether the stolen earrings have been retrieved, the mystery surrounding this bizarre heist continues. While law enforcement remains focused on recovering the stolen property, medical professionals caution that retrieving evidence from a suspect in this manner is not an immediate process.
For now, the case serves as a reminder of the desperate and sometimes extreme measures criminals take when faced with capture. Whether Gilder’s stomach will ultimately give up the evidence remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—this is a jewelry heist the Orlando police won’t soon forget.