Talk about taking “eat the rich” literally.
A Florida man has been found guilty after allegedly stealing Tiffany earrings valued at more than $760,000 and attempting to hide the jewels by swallowing them.
A jury convicted Jaythan Gilder of robbery and grand theft in connection with the unusual heist at a Tiffany & Co. store inside Orlando’s Mall at Millenia in February 2025, State Attorney Monique Worrell announced Thursday.
Gilder, who was 32 at the time, reportedly claimed to be representing an Orlando Magic player to gain access to the high-end jewelry. He then seized two pairs of earrings: one set featuring 4.86-carat stones valued at $160,000, and a second 8.10-carat set worth $609,500, WFLA reported.
Prosecutors said Gilder used force against a store employee as he escaped from the luxury retailer.
Dashcam footage released in the case shows Florida Highway Patrol troopers struggling to prevent Gilder from swallowing the jewelry, apparently in an effort to destroy or conceal evidence worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In the video, Gilder can be seen thrashing as three startled officers wrestle him to the ground and repeatedly order him to “open his mouth.”
Troopers stopped Gilder on Interstate 10 and arrested him on a resisting-arrest charge. At the time, however, investigators could not charge him with theft because the missing earrings could not be located.
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That changed after Gilder was taken to jail. According to an arrest report reviewed by WFLA, he spontaneously asked staff whether he would be charged “with what’s in my stomach.”
A trooper at the Orange County jail also reportedly heard Gilder remark, “I should have thrown them out the window.”
A body scan later showed the earrings moving through Gilder’s digestive system. He remained hospitalized for nearly two weeks until the jewels passed from his body.
According to a police report, the recovered earrings were cleaned by Tiffany’s “Master Jeweler” before being returned to a company security manager.
“This case involved not only a significant financial loss, but also the safety of employees who were confronted with violence while simply doing their jobs,” Worrell said in a statement.
“This verdict sends a clear message that violence and theft will not be tolerated in our community. I commend the prosecutors who presented this case, along with the Orlando Police Department and all law enforcement partners whose work helped bring this defendant to justice,” she added.
“Our office remains committed to holding individuals accountable when their actions threaten the safety of others and undermine the security our community deserves.”
Gilder is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 7.
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