In a bizarre Florida heist that gives new meaning to “high-value takeaway,” a suspected jewel thief went to extraordinary lengths to conceal nearly $770,000 worth of stolen Tiffany earrings. The desperate criminal’s last-ditch attempt to hide the evidence by swallowing the diamonds left authorities with a peculiar recovery mission that lasted nearly two weeks.
At a glance:
• Suspect Jaythan Gilder swallowed four diamond Tiffany earrings worth $769,500 during his arrest
• Gilder posed as an assistant for an Orlando Magic basketball player to access high-end jewelry
• Police tracked the suspect 340 miles from the crime scene before making the arrest
• The suspect was monitored in hospital for 12 days as authorities waited to recover all stolen items
• Gilder now faces charges of robbery with a mask and first-degree grand theft
Diamond Heist Goes South
What began as a brazen and sophisticated jewelry heist quickly turned into a bizarre medical situation when suspect Jaythan Gilder swallowed four diamond earrings valued at nearly $770,000. The brazen theft occurred at a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, where Gilder cleverly posed as an assistant for an unnamed Orlando Magic basketball player to gain access to the high-end merchandise.
Store employees escorted Gilder to a VIP room where he was shown several expensive pieces, including a ring worth $575,000 that he initially attempted to steal. When a store employee intervened, Gilder injured the worker before fleeing with four diamond earrings, setting off a police manhunt that would end with an unexpected twist.
Caught In The Act
Orlando Police detectives carried out some impressive investigative work by tracking Gilder’s vehicle using shopping mall security footage and highway tag readers. The suspect was eventually stopped by Florida Highway Patrol officers in Washington County, approximately 340 miles from the crime scene, for driving without rear lights.
Detectives have recovered four diamond earrings from a suspected thief two weeks after he gulped the Tiffany jewelry worth nearly $770,000 during his arrest, authorities say. He allegedly asked, “Am I going to be charged with what is in my stomach?” https://t.co/AvwVvS0sux
— NBC10 Boston (@NBC10Boston) March 22, 2025
After his arrest, Gilder made several incriminating statements including asking officers, “Am I going to be charged with what is in my stomach?” Moments later, he added regretfully, “I should have thrown them out the window.”
Diamond Recovery Operation
Law enforcement officials noticed Gilder had items in his mouth during the arrest, prompting immediate medical attention. A body scan revealed foreign objects in the suspect’s digestive system, leading authorities to transfer him from jail to a hospital where he remained under police supervision for 12 days.
OPD Detective Tiffany Perez explained the extraordinary dedication of the recovery team, stating, “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.” The officers’ commitment paid off when all four diamonds were ultimately recovered and verified by their serial numbers.
Gilder now faces serious charges including robbery with a mask and first-degree grand theft. The recovered diamonds have been returned to Tiffany & Co.
