Jaythan Gilder, accused of stealing Tiffany earrings worth $769,500, faced a lengthy hospital stay after swallowing the jewelry, leading to its recovery.
$769,500 in Stolen Earrings Recovered After Thief Swallows Them
$769,500 in Stolen Earrings Recovered After Thief Swallows Them
Florida police announce the recovery of high-value jewelry swallowed by a suspect during an arrest.
Orlando police have successfully retrieved two sets of earrings valued at a staggering $769,500 after a suspect allegedly swallowed them. The incident involves Jaythan Gilder, a 32-year-old man, who was detained on February 26 and is now facing serious charges of robbery and grand theft.
The theft took place in an upscale Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, where Gilder reportedly impersonated an assistant to an NBA player in order to gain access to exclusive jewelry. After distracting staff members, he made a quick escape with the two pairs of earrings. Police records state he dropped a valuable diamond ring—estimated at $587,000—while fleeing.
Law enforcement apprehended Gilder shortly after the theft, during which officers noted him swallowing something believed to be the stolen earrings. Following this bizarre turn of events, he was taken to a hospital and watched by detectives for over two weeks until the earrings were finally expelled from his body.
Detective Aaron Goss emphasized the lengthy nature of the investigation, stating, "What began as a swift pursuit turned into a marathon." On March 12, police successfully recovered the earrings, confirming their authenticity with the jewelry store's master jeweller, who validated the serial numbers.
As Gilder remains in custody at Orange County Jail, he also has a prior robbery at a different Tiffany location in Texas and has 48 outstanding warrants in Colorado. His reckless actions—which included a remark about wishing he had discarded the earrings during transport to jail—have made him a notable figure in this unusual theft case.
