Orlando Police Recover $769K Earrings Swallowed by Suspect After Jewelry Heist

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando police have successfully retrieved two sets of diamond earrings worth a staggering $769,500 from a suspect who allegedly swallowed them following a jewelry theft. The recovery occurred more than two weeks after Jaythan Gilder, 32, was arrested on February 26 for allegedly stealing the earrings from a Tiffany & Co. store.

According to police reports, Gilder posed as an assistant for an NBA player to gain access to a VIP room at the Tiffany store located in the Mall at Millenia. While in the room, he purportedly distracted employees and fled with the earrings. During his escape, Gilder also dropped a diamond ring valued at approximately $587,000.

Officers apprehended Gilder later on the same day. Police claim they witnessed Gilder swallowing several items believed to be the stolen earrings. ‘I should have thrown them out the window,’ he reportedly stated while being transported to jail, as per CBS News.

Following his arrest, Gilder was taken to a local hospital where he remained under surveillance for more than 12 days as detectives awaited the expulsion of the earrings from his system. Detective Aaron Goss noted that the investigation quickly turned into a marathon, not a sprint.

On March 12, officers recovered the last of the stolen earrings. They confirmed their identity by matching the serial numbers with those recorded at Tiffany’s, indicating these were indeed the items stolen by Gilder.

Gilder is currently held at the Orange County Jail and faces several charges, including robbery with a mask and first-degree grand theft. Court records reveal Gilder has a criminal history involving a robbery at another Tiffany & Co. store in Texas in 2022, as well as 48 active warrants in Colorado.

The Orlando Police Department reiterated the importance of their investigation and thanked their Violent Crimes Unit, which successfully managed the daunting challenge of retrieving the stolen jewelry and ensuring it was returned to its rightful owner, Tiffany & Co.