In an extraordinary twist, Jaythan Gilder, a 32-year-old Houston resident, executed a daring theft at a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida. This unusual caper, which ended with the recovery of jewelry valued at over $769,000, has caught public attention due to the peculiar method the suspect used to conceal the loot: swallowing it. The incident took place on February 26 when Gilder, wearing a red cap, a red Polo shirt, and heavily ripped blue jeans, entered the Tiffany & Co. store located in an Orlando shopping mall.
According to court documents obtained by CBS News, Gilder posed as a representative for a professional basketball player from the Orlando Magic, using the alias "Shawn," and claimed to be purchasing on behalf of the athlete. Due to the high value of the items, store staff escorted him to the VIP room. There, he was shown two pairs of diamond earrings and a diamond ring. The store staff reported to the police that the earrings were worth $160,000 and $609,500, respectively, and the ring was valued at $587,000.
During the supposed transaction, Gilder suddenly leapt from his seat, snatched the jewelry, and attempted to escape by forcefully pushing through the sliding doors of the VIP room. An employee tried to stop him, but Gilder violently pushed the employee, injuring their arms, as detailed in the police report. Amid the struggle, the thief dropped the ring but managed to flee with the earrings, dodging store personnel as he ran. A store employee informed the police that she feared the suspect might be armed, causing panic.
Ultimately, Gilder exited through the main entrance and fled the shopping center.
Quick Identification and Desperate Evidence Concealment
Utilizing security footage from the mall and parking lot, authorities identified the getaway vehicle as a 2024 blue Mitsubishi Outlander. With this information, the Florida Highway Patrol was alerted, and by that evening, just before 8 p.m., they had stopped the car for a traffic violation. Initially, the stop was unrelated to the theft, but the driver, identified as Gilder, resisted investigation and was arrested on other charges. Inside the vehicle, officers found earring molds and Tiffany & Co. price tags.
During the arrest, Gilder swallowed several items and was overheard muttering, "I should have thrown them out the window." He was taken to the Washington County Jail, where a CT scan revealed foreign objects in his stomach. Police suspected at that point that Gilder had ingested the stolen earrings, valued at a total of $769,500. While in custody, Gilder reportedly asked the staff, "Are you going to charge me for what's in my stomach?"
A Twelve-Day Medical-Police Marathon
The Orlando Police Department announced via social media that Gilder was monitored by detectives at a local hospital for over twelve days, waiting for him to pass the ingested items. Ultimately, the earrings were retrieved and returned to Tiffany's, where a master jeweler verified that the serial numbers matched those of the stolen pieces. According to Goss, the jewelry was cleaned and restored by the store's staff.
Charges and Criminal Background: A Repeat Offender
Jaythan Gilder faces charges of first-degree grand theft and robbery with a mask, as recorded in court documents. Although he wasn't wearing a mask during the theft, he did have gauze over his nose, a bandage on his arm, and a hat. Authorities consider these items as attempts to disguise his identity, fitting the legal definition of "robbery with a mask" in Florida. Currently, Gilder is held at the Orange County Jail, and his criminal record has uncovered more alarming details. Police revealed that Gilder was charged with a nearly identical theft at a Tiffany & Co. store in Texas in 2022. In addition, there are a total of 48 warrants for his arrest for failure to appear in court in Colorado.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Bizarre Tiffany & Co. Heist
What method did Jaythan Gilder use to hide the stolen jewelry?
Jaythan Gilder attempted to hide the stolen jewelry by swallowing it.
How did the police identify the getaway vehicle?
The police identified the getaway vehicle using security footage from the mall and parking lot, recognizing it as a 2024 blue Mitsubishi Outlander.
What charges does Jaythan Gilder face?
Jaythan Gilder is charged with first-degree grand theft and robbery with a mask, even though he used items like a gauze, bandage, and hat to conceal his identity.
What was the outcome for the stolen earrings?
The stolen earrings were eventually recovered, verified by a master jeweler, and returned to Tiffany's after being cleaned and restored.