Florida man swallowed $760K Tiffany jewels after NBA impersonation heist

Jaythan Gilder, 33, convicted of robbery and grand theft after stealing jewellery worth over $760,000 from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando. Sentencing is scheduled for 7 December.

Florida man convicted after swallowing $760K in stolen Tiffany jewellery

Jaythan Lawrence Gilder, 33, faces sentencing on 7 December after a jury convicted him of robbery and grand theft in connection with a jewellery theft at a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, arise.tv reports.

The theft took place in February 2025 at the Mall at Millenia. Prosecutors said Gilder entered the store posing as a representative negotiating a purchase on behalf of an NBA player, before seizing the merchandise and using force against a store employee as he attempted to flee.

After his arrest, Gilder swallowed the stolen diamond earrings — valued at more than $760,000 — in an effort to conceal evidence. Authorities monitored him for nearly two weeks before the jewellery was recovered.

Florida State Attorney Monique Worrell said the case extended beyond financial damage. "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.

The court has not yet announced what sentence Gilder will receive.

Source: The Sun