Jaythan Gilder, facing serious charges after robbing a Tiffany & Co. store, allegedly ingested the stolen earrings, leading to a 12-day monitoring period before their recovery, showcasing the lengths some might go to avoid consequences.
Stolen Tiffany Earrings Worth Nearly $770,000 Recovered After Alleged Thief's Unusual Attempt to Hide Them
Stolen Tiffany Earrings Worth Nearly $770,000 Recovered After Alleged Thief's Unusual Attempt to Hide Them
An Orlando man allegedly swallows two pairs of high-value earrings in a failed attempt to evade law enforcement following a jewelry heist.
In an unusual turn of events, Orlando police successfully retrieved two pairs of Tiffany & Co. earrings valued at a staggering $769,500 after a suspected thief attempted to hide them by swallowing them. Jaythan Gilder, 32, was arrested on February 26 after allegedly posing as an assistant for an NBA player to gain access to high-end jewelry in a VIP section of the Tiffany store.
According to law enforcement, Mr. Gilder distracted employees while making away with two pairs of earrings, which he later stashed in his stomach. He reportedly dropped a diamond ring worth $587,000 during his escape. Officers apprehended him shortly after the heist, only to witness him swallowing objects they suspected were the stolen earrings.
As they transported him to jail, Gilder reportedly lamented, "I should have thrown them out the window," indicating his realization of the gravity of his situation. Upon being questioned by jail personnel about the contents of his stomach, he was clearly aware of the repercussions he might face.
After being monitored by authorities at a local hospital for over twelve days, Gilder finally expelled the earrings, leading to their successful recovery. Detective Aaron Goss remarked that the investigation felt like a marathon, emphasizing the extended effort required to secure the jewelry. The recovered earrings were later verified by Tiffany's master jeweler, who confirmed their serial numbers matched the stolen items.
Currently held at the Orange County Jail, Gilder's criminal history includes a previous robbery at a Tiffany & Co. in Texas. Furthermore, authorities revealed there are 48 separate arrest warrants issued for him in Colorado, showcasing a deeply troubled past. This brazen attempt to conceal the stolen items, although ultimately unsuccessful, highlights a growing trend in theft tactics that law enforcement continues to grapple with.
