Florida Man Swallows Stolen Tiffany Earrings During Arrest

In a bizarre theft incident, Jaythan Gilder reportedly swallowed stolen Tiffany earrings worth approximately $769,500 just before his arrest in Orlando, Florida. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in luxury retail security and repeat offenses in theft cases.

In a peculiar turn of events in Orlando, Florida, a man named Jaythan Gilder, 32, has been accused of swallowing stolen earrings valued at over half a million dollars moments before being apprehended by police. According to the Orlando Police Department, Gilder misled staff at a Tiffany & Co. store by claiming he represented a "professional athlete," which allowed him to browse high-end jewelry pieces.

Allegedly, Gilder made off with earrings valued at $769,500 and attempted to steal a diamond ring as he fled the scene. When officers apprehended him later that day, they witnessed him swallowing objects believed to be the missing earrings. Police later released an x-ray image appearing to show foreign objects within a suspect’s abdomen, although they have not confirmed if the jewelry was retrieved.

This incident sheds light on the recurring issue of retail theft, particularly in high-value sectors. Gilder has a history of theft, including a prior incident at a Texas Tiffany & Co. store in 2022. Furthermore, there are 48 outstanding arrest warrants against him in nearby Colorado. Charged with robbery while wearing a mask and grand theft in the first degree—due to the significant value of the stolen goods—Gilder is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.