Man Arrested for Swallowing $769,500 in Diamond Earrings During Jewelry Store Heist

A 32-year-old man was arrested after allegedly swallowing two diamond earrings valued at $769,500 (over R14 million) following a daring heist at Tiffany & Co. in Florida, USA.

Jaythan Lawrence Gilder entered the store at the Mall of Millenia, claiming to represent an Orlando Magic player, despite having no appointment. Once inside, he was escorted to a VIP room, where he reviewed various pieces of luxury jewelry.

Seizing the opportunity, Gilder snatched the two diamond earrings and tried to flee the store. In a violent struggle with staff attempting to stop him, he managed to escape with the earrings in hand, leaving one worker injured.

After leaving the mall, police were able to trace Gilder’s vehicle and spotted him heading toward Texas. Traffic officers stopped him on the highway, where Gilder allegedly swallowed the earrings in a desperate attempt to avoid capture.

At the police station, a live scan revealed foreign objects in his stomach. Investigators later found Tiffany & Co. forms, price tags, receipts, and a cell phone in his car.

Gilder, with a history of theft dating back to 2012, has a record of targeting high-end jewelry stores, including smash-and-grab incidents. Despite recently serving a two-year sentence, he was released after only 193 days and has 43 outstanding warrants for his arrest in Colorado.

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