Florida Man Found Guilty After Swallowing $769,500 in Tiffany Diamonds

A Florida man has been found guilty of robbery and grand theft after stealing two pairs of diamond earrings valued at $769,500 from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando and swallowing the jewelry while being taken into custody. Jaythan Lawrence Gilder was convicted on October 22, 2026, following a case involving a luxury jewelry theft at the Mall at Millenia in February 2025. Investigators eventually recovered all four earrings after monitoring Gilder for nearly two weeks.

How The Tiffany Diamond Theft Happened

According to investigators, Gilder entered the Tiffany & Co. store on February 26, 2025, and allegedly presented himself as a representative negotiating a jewelry purchase on behalf of a professional basketball player. Store employees brought him into a private room to view high value merchandise.

Authorities said Gilder grabbed two pairs of diamond earrings and attempted to escape. During the incident, he used force against an employee who tried to stop him. The earrings were valued at $160,000 and $609,500, bringing their combined value to $769,500. A diamond ring valued at approximately $587,000 was also involved in the encounter. However, an employee managed to knock the ring out of Gilder’s possession as he attempted to flee. He escaped with the earrings.

Police Tracked Him Across Florida

Investigators used surveillance footage and vehicle information to identify the vehicle associated with the robbery. Florida Highway Patrol troopers later stopped Gilder in Washington County, Florida, several hours after the incident. During the arrest, officers observed Gilder swallowing objects believed to be the stolen earrings. A scan at the Washington County jail revealed foreign objects in his digestive tract, prompting authorities to arrange medical monitoring.

The case then became a lengthy jewelry recovery operation. Authorities monitored Gilder at a hospital for nearly two weeks as the earrings passed through his digestive system. Investigators ultimately recovered all four earrings on March 10 and March 12, 2025. The jewelry was examined to confirm that it matched the stolen merchandise.

Jury Convicts Gilder Of Robbery And Grand Theft

On October 22, 2026, prosecutors announced that a jury had found Gilder guilty of robbery and grand theft. The verdict followed the investigation into the February 2025 theft and the recovery of the stolen Tiffany jewelry.

Orange County State Attorney Monique Worrell addressed the seriousness of the case, highlighting the financial value of the stolen merchandise and the safety risks faced by store employees during the incident. The conviction means Gilder has been found guilty of the charges presented at trial. Sentencing is a separate stage of the criminal proceedings.

When Will Gilder Be Sentenced?

Gilder’s sentencing was scheduled for December 7, 2026, according to reports published after the verdict. The sentencing hearing will determine the punishment imposed by the court. The case drew attention because of the unusual attempt to conceal stolen merchandise by swallowing it. Despite that effort, investigators recovered all four earrings and preserved the evidence needed to support the prosecution.

The case also highlights the serious criminal consequences associated with theft involving high value merchandise and force against employees. What began as a purported luxury jewelry purchase ended in a criminal conviction and a pending sentencing proceeding.