KEY POINTS
- A Florida man stole diamond earrings worth R14 million ($772,093) and swallowed them.
- Police arrested him on the highway and found evidence in his stomach.
- The suspect has 43 outstanding arrest warrants for jewelry heist.
In a daring Florida jewelry heist, a 32-year-old man was arrested after swallowing two diamond earrings worth over $772,093 at a Tiffany & Co. store in an attempt to evade capture.
Authorities identified the suspect as Jaythan Lawrence Gilder, who entered the luxury jewelry store without an appointment, claiming to represent an Orlando Magic player.
According to IOL, employees escorted him to a VIP viewing room, where he examined high-end jewelry pieces.
However, what seemed like a routine shopping experience quickly turned into a violent robbery.
Gilder suddenly grabbed the earrings, attempted to flee, and overpowered employees who tried to stop him. In the scuffle, one staff member sustained injuries as he ran out of the store.
Police track suspect, but he swallows the evidence
Following the robbery, law enforcement tracked Gilder’s getaway vehicle as he fled toward Texas.
Authorities managed to intercept him on the highway, but just before officers could search him, he swallowed the stolen diamond earrings in a desperate move to conceal the evidence.
At the police station, officers conducted a live scan, revealing foreign objects inside his stomach.
A subsequent search of his vehicle led to the discovery of Tiffany & Co. earring forms, price tags, receipts, and a cell phone, all linking him to the crime.
Career criminal with a history of jewelry heists
Investigators later found that Gilder was no stranger to high-end jewelry thefts. His criminal history dates back to 2012 and primarily involves targeting luxury jewelry stores.
His previous offenses include smash-and-grab robberies, and despite serving a recent two-year sentence, he was released after only 193 days before reoffending.
Adding to his long list of legal troubles, reports indicate that Gilder has 43 outstanding arrest warrants in Colorado, making him one of the most wanted jewelry thieves in the country.
Authorities continue to investigate whether Gilder had accomplices or connections to organized crime rings specializing in high-end jewelry theft.
