(DailyAnswer.org) – A high-stakes jewelry heist in Orlando took a bizarre turn when a suspect swallowed $769,500 worth of Tiffany earrings.
At a Glance
- Suspect swallowed four diamond earrings during arrest in Florida.
- Posed as an NBA player’s assistant to view high-end jewels.
- Recovered earrings matched serial numbers from Tiffany & Co.
- Suspect in custody, facing multiple charges including grand theft.
The Heist Unveiled
Jaythan Gilder, a suspect in an audacious jewelry theft, executed a cleverly orchestrated plan aimed at Tiffany & Co. in Orlando, Florida. Masquerading as an assistant for an NBA player, Gilder was led into a VIP room under the pretense of purchasing exquisite items on behalf of the sports star. However, instead of making a legitimate purchase, Gilder snatched an assortment of jewelry and attempted to flee the scene successfully.
Authorities launched a manhunt supported by mall security footage, tracking the suspect’s vehicle across highways using tag readers. Nearly 340 miles away in Washington County, the thief was arrested after being pulled over for driving without functioning rear lights. During custody, Gilder brazenly swallowed the valuable earrings, prompting his arrest on multiple charges.
Detectives have recovered four diamond earrings from a suspected thief two weeks after he gulped the Tiffany & Co. jewelry worth nearly $770,000 during his arrest on the side of a highway in the Florida Panhandle, authorities said. https://t.co/0lYcY7WxIF
— ABC News (@ABC) March 22, 2025
Recovery and Repercussions
Gilder was subsequently taken to the hospital, where law enforcement officials kept a close watch until the foreign objects were expelled from his body. The earrings were successfully retrieved, their serial numbers confirming them as those stolen from the luxury retailer. As a result, Gilder faces a host of charges, including robbery with a mask and first-degree grand theft, and remains in custody.
“I should have thrown them out the window” – suspect
Orlando Police Department Detective Tiffany Perez emphasized the cooperative effort involved in solving this high-profile case. “We worked together tirelessly for days on end, taking different shifts at the hospital, leaving our families, just so we can get this case settled and Tiffany’s back their property.”
Detectives have recovered four diamond earrings from a suspected thief two weeks after he swallowed the Tiffany & Co. jewelry worth nearly $770,000 during his arrest on the side of a highway in the Florida Panhandle, authorities said Friday. https://t.co/WunV7nmO7q
— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) March 23, 2025
Broader Implications
The breathtaking events and peculiar recovery of the Tiffany earrings spotlight the lengths to which criminals may go in pursuit of luxury riches. This case also underscores the need for sophisticated practices and unyielding diligence by law enforcement to thwart such crimes and bring perpetrators to justice. It stands as a testament to the tenacity of officers committed to retrieving stolen goods.
“We worked together tirelessly for days on end, taking different shifts at the hospital, leaving our families, just so we can get this case settled and Tiffany’s back their property.” – OPD Detective Tiffany Perez
Ultimately, the successful recovery and return to Tiffany & Co. represent a commendable achievement in criminal investigation and resolution.
Copyright 2025, DailyAnswer.org
