ORLANDO, Fla. – A Texas man is facing charges after Orlando police say he stole $800,000 worth of luxury jewelry at the Mall at Millenia before swallowing it during his arrest days after the crime.
Police were called to the mall on Wednesday for reports of a robbery at Tiffany & Co.
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According to an arrest affidavit, the suspect told store associates that he was a representative for an Orlando Magic player, and he was then escorted by staff into the VIP room.
Police said the suspect grabbed two pairs of earrings valued at $160,000 and $609,500, respectively, and a ring worth $587,000.
After a scuffle with an employee, the suspect fled the scene with the earrings, the affidavit states.
Police said the employee suffered minor arm injuries and was treated at the scene.
Detectives next reviewed video showing the suspect walking through the mall while wearing a red shirt, red hat and ripped jeans, officials said.
He then got into a blue 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander, and detectives were able to obtain the vehicle’s tag, the affidavit states.
Two days later, the Florida Highway Patrol learned that the possible suspect vehicle in Washington County.
Troopers pulled the vehicle over on Interstate 10 following a traffic violation, and they identified the driver as Jaythan Gilder, of Houston.
During the arrest, police say, Gilder, 32, “swallowed several items.” The foreign objects, believed to be the stolen Tiffany earrings, later showed up on a body scan taken at the jail, the affidavit states.
Detectives said the jewelry was to be collected by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office after it passed through Gilder’s system.
Gilder was taken to the Orange County jail and he was booked without bond on charges of grand theft and robbery with a mask. He was also charged with resisting arrest during the traffic stop.
Detectives also discovered that Gilder was charged in a near-identical robbery in Texas in 2022 and said he will eventually be extradited to Colorado for 48 outstanding warrants.