Florida, USA – In a bizarre turn of events, a 32-year-old man named Jaythan Lawrence Gilder has been arrested in Florida after allegedly attempting to steal earrings valued at over half a million dollars. The audacious theft took place at a Tiffany & Co. jewelry store when Gilder falsely claimed to represent a “famous athlete” who wished to shop at the luxury retailer.
During his visit to the store, Gilder persuaded employees to showcase multiple pieces of high-end jewelry. Capitalizing on their trust, he snatched earrings worth approximately $769,500 and attempted to flee the scene. However, his escape was cut short when police apprehended him shortly thereafter.
According to the police report, as officers approached Gilder, they witnessed him swallowing an object, which they suspected to be the stolen earrings. The incident has raised questions about whether the expensive jewelry can be recovered, as authorities have yet to confirm if the earrings were located within Gilder’s stomach after he was arrested.
In a strange twist, store management revealed that Gilder not only attempted to steal the earrings but also a diamond ring. However, during his hurried escape, both a pair of earrings and a diamond ring fell to the floor, which the police were able to recover.
Adding to his criminal history, Gilder has been linked to a previous robbery at a Tiffany & Co. location in Texas in 2022, and law enforcement officials stated that 48 separate arrest warrants for him had been issued in Colorado.
Gilder now faces charges of robbery and grand theft but is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. As the case unfolds, the incident has not only captured the attention of the local community but also raised concerns about security practices at luxury retail stores.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into Gilder’s activities, as they seek to determine the fate of the swallowed earrings and any further connections to his past criminal behavior.