Florida Man Accused of Swallowing Tiffany Jewelry After Posing as NBA Representative
A bizarre incident in Orlando, Florida, has landed a Texas man in hot water after he allegedly robbed a Tiffany & Co. store and swallowed hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of diamond earrings. Jaythan Gilder, 32, of Houston, is facing charges of grand theft and robbery after the audacious crime unfolded on February 26th.
According to court documents, Gilder entered the upscale jewelry store and identified himself as "Shawn," claiming to represent a player from the Orlando Magic basketball team. He stated he was there to negotiate a potential purchase, focusing his attention on diamond earrings and a diamond ring. While the court records did not name the specific player Gilder claimed to represent, the implication was that he was acting on behalf of a high-profile individual with significant purchasing power.
Due to the substantial value of the items Gilder was inquiring about, store staff escorted him to a private VIP room within the store. This room is designed to provide a more personalized and discreet shopping experience for high-end clients, allowing them to view and examine jewelry in a comfortable and secure setting.
Once inside the VIP room, employees presented Gilder with two pairs of diamond earrings and a diamond ring. The combined value of these items exceeded $1 million, highlighting the significant stakes involved. Court documents detail how Gilder then abruptly jumped from his seat, grabbed the jewelry, and attempted to flee the room.
A store associate bravely intervened, attempting to stop Gilder from escaping. However, Gilder managed to overpower the employee and break free, dropping the diamond ring in the process. He then successfully fled the store and escaped the mall, making off with the two pairs of diamond earrings.
Law enforcement quickly launched an investigation, reviewing surveillance footage from the store and the surrounding area. They were able to identify a vehicle Gilder was seen entering after leaving the mall. Using toll records and public safety cameras, police traced the vehicle’s movements.
Hours later, the Florida Highway Patrol conducted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle. Gilder was taken into custody, and a search of the car allegedly revealed earring forms and price tags from the Tiffany & Co. store on the floor. These items provided further evidence linking Gilder to the robbery.
The situation took an even more unusual turn when, according to court records, Gilder allegedly admitted to swallowing both pairs of earrings stolen from the store. He reportedly lamented, "I should have thrown them out the window." Police estimated the value of the swallowed earrings to be over $760,000.
Following his arrest, Gilder was taken to the Washington County Jail. A live scan conducted at the jail revealed the presence of "several foreign objects" in Gilder’s stomach, seemingly confirming his claim of swallowing the jewelry.
In response to this discovery, Gilder reportedly questioned jail staff, asking, "Am I going to be charged with what’s in my stomach?" The answer, according to authorities, was yes. Gilder now faces charges of grand theft in the first degree and robbery with a mask. The mask charge suggests that Gilder may have been wearing a disguise during the robbery, although further details about this have not been released.
Authorities have also uncovered Gilder’s history of similar alleged crimes. Records indicate a prior arrest for theft at another Tiffany store in Texas in 2022, suggesting a pattern of targeting the luxury jewelry retailer. Furthermore, Gilder had a staggering 48 "failure to appear" warrants in Colorado, indicating a disregard for court proceedings and a potential history of evading law enforcement.
The case has garnered significant media attention due to the audacious nature of the crime and the unusual act of swallowing the stolen jewelry. The legal proceedings are likely to be complex, involving issues of evidence collection, medical evaluation, and the prosecution’s ability to recover the stolen earrings. It is unclear how authorities plan to retrieve the jewelry, but the situation presents both logistical and ethical challenges.
USA TODAY attempted to reach out to an attorney representing Gilder for comment but was unable to obtain a response immediately. The case remains under investigation, and further details are expected to emerge as the legal process unfolds. This story highlights the lengths some individuals will go to in pursuit of wealth and the challenges law enforcement faces in combating such crimes. The investigation continues to uncover the full scope of Gilder’s alleged criminal activities, and the legal system will determine his fate. The bizarre nature of the crime, coupled with the high value of the stolen items, ensures this case will remain in the public eye.
