Jewel Heist Gone Wrong- Thief Swallows Sh100m Earrings – Cops Wait Two Weeks for ‘Recovery’
Orlando police have recovered two pairs of Tiffany & Co. diamond earrings worth Sh99,650,250 million after a suspect allegedly swallowed them more than two weeks ago.
Suspect Swallowed Stolen Earrings
The suspect, Jaythan Gilder, 32, reportedly swallowed the expensive earrings on February 26 while being taken into custody. Police closely monitored him at an Orlando hospital for over 12 days until the stolen jewelry was recovered.
Authorities have charged Gilder with grand theft in the first degree and robbery with a mask.
How the Theft Happened
Police say Gilder pretended to be an assistant to an NBA player to gain access to a VIP room at a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida. Once inside, he allegedly distracted store employees before running away with the earrings.
As he fled, he also dropped a diamond ring worth Sh76,016,500 million.
Caught Swallowing the Evidence
Officers later found Gilder, and he was reportedly seen swallowing several objects, believed to be the stolen earrings.
During transport to jail, he allegedly told officers:
“I should have thrown them out the window.”
At the jail, he also asked staff, “Am I going to be charged with what’s in my stomach?”
Earrings Finally Recovered
After nearly two weeks in the hospital, police confirmed they had recovered all four stolen earrings.
A Tiffany & Co. master jeweler verified the earrings by matching their serial numbers. The store has since cleaned and restored them.
Gilder’s Criminal History
Gilder is now being held at Orange County Jail. Police say he has a history of robbery at another Tiffany & Co. store in Texas (2022) and faces 48 separate warrants in Colorado.
This case shows that even the most daring thefts eventually catch up with criminals.
Jewel Heist Gone Wrong- Thief Swallows Sh100m Earrings – Cops Wait Two Weeks for ‘Recovery’
