CrimeMar 04, 2025
4 Suspects Arrested in Fatal Armed Robbery of California Jewelry Store CrimeMar 11, 2025
Man in Florida Swallows Allegedly Stolen Tiffany & Co. Jewelry
The suspect allegedly stole almost $800,000 worth of diamond jewelry from a store in Orlando and then swallowed it during a traffic stop.
Jaythan Lawrence Gilder, 32, of Houston, Texas, is accused of stealing nearly $800,000 worth of jewelry from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, and then swallowing the evidence.
Orlando, Fla.—A man in Florida faces charges of grand theft after allegedly robbing the Tiffany & Co. store at the Mall of Millenia in Orlando, Florida, and then swallowing the evidence.
Jaythan Lawrence Gilder, 32, of Houston, Texas, is accused of stealing nearly $800,000 worth of jewelry from the store on Feb. 26.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit filed in the case, an employee of the Tiffany & Co. store told police that Gilder posed as a representative for an Orlando Magic player who was looking to purchase diamond earrings and a diamond ring.
Due to the high value of the items, two employees led Gilder into a private viewing room, showing him a pair of 4.86-carat diamond solitaire earrings ($160,000), a pair of 8.19-carat diamond solitaire earrings ($609,500), and a 5.16-carat diamond solitaire ring ($587,000).
During the consultation, an employee told police that Gilder jumped out of his seat and grabbed all of the merchandise, injuring one employee as he fled, the affidavit states.
Jaythan Lawrence Gilder, 32, of Houston, Texas, is accused of stealing nearly $800,000 worth of jewelry from the store on Feb. 26.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit filed in the case, an employee of the Tiffany & Co. store told police that Gilder posed as a representative for an Orlando Magic player who was looking to purchase diamond earrings and a diamond ring.
Due to the high value of the items, two employees led Gilder into a private viewing room, showing him a pair of 4.86-carat diamond solitaire earrings ($160,000), a pair of 8.19-carat diamond solitaire earrings ($609,500), and a 5.16-carat diamond solitaire ring ($587,000).
During the consultation, an employee told police that Gilder jumped out of his seat and grabbed all of the merchandise, injuring one employee as he fled, the affidavit states.
The suspect, later identified as 32-year-old Jaythan Lawrence Gilder of Houston, Texas, is seen in surveillance video from the private viewing room at the Tiffany & Co. store.
Employees said Gilder jumped out of his chair during the consultation and ultimately fled with two pairs of diamond earrings.
Gilder allegedly got away with the two pairs of earrings, valued at a combined $769,500.
One of the Tiffany employees managed to recover the ring by slapping it out of Gilder’s hand as he struggled to open the viewing room doors, according to the affidavit.
Based on video surveillance and employee interviews, officials said it was clear that the jewelry was “taken by force and fear … with resisting a merchant or battering a merchant.”
The getaway vehicle was seen in surveillance video and tracked using toll records and public safety cameras.
He was stopped by Florida Highway Patrol hours later due to a traffic violation.
As he was being taken into custody, he swallowed several items, suspected to be the stolen jewelry, the affidavit states, and a live scan at the Washington County Jail confirmed there were foreign objects in his stomach.
At the time of his arrest, Gilder was held on resisting charges separate from this incident and 48 separate “failure to appear” warrants from the state of Colorado.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for his vehicle and found Tiffany & Co. earrings forms and matching price tags.
They also found an arm bandage and a gauze nose covering in the vehicle. Gilder had no related injuries, said officials, who determined he wore these items, along with the hat, to try to disguise his identity.
At the jail, Gilder “spontaneously” asked staff, “Am I going to be charged with what’s in my stomach?,” as per the affidavit.
The arresting officer also allegedly heard Gilder say, “I should have thrown them out the window.”
Gilder is being charged with grand theft in the first degree and robbery with a mask.
A search of his criminal history found he had been charged with a “near identical” robbery/theft of a Tiffany & Co. store in Woodlands Township, Texas, in 2022, the affidavit notes.
More on Crime
The Latest
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
