Orlando, Fla. – A local courtroom will hear the sentencing of Jaythan Gilder in December after a jury found him guilty of grand theft and robbery for stealing more than $760,000 in Tiffany & Co. jewelry and attempting to conceal the stolen earrings by swallowing them.
Details of the robbery
According to the Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, Gilder entered the Tiffany & Co. store in February 2025 posing as a representative negotiating a purchase on behalf of a professional basketball player. While inside, he seized a pair of diamond earrings and a ring, using force against an employee as he tried to flee.
Store staff managed to wrest the ring from Gilder’s grasp, but the earrings were not recovered at the scene. Police later stopped Gilder on a highway, observed objects in his mouth, and a body scan at Washington County Jail confirmed the presence of foreign objects later identified as the stolen earrings.
Investigation and recovery
Law enforcement monitored Gilder for nearly two weeks before the earrings were expelled from his system and retrieved. The diamonds were then returned to Tiffany & Co., where the company’s master jeweler verified the serial numbers and inscriptions matched the stolen pieces.
State Attorney Monique Worrell said the case highlights both a significant financial loss and the danger faced by retail employees when confronted with violence. “This verdict sends a clear message that violence and theft will not be tolerated in our community,” she said.
Legal outcome
Gilder received a guilty verdict last week after a trial that examined the theft, the use of force, and his attempt to hide the evidence. The sentencing, scheduled for December, will determine the length of his prison term and any restitution owed to Tiffany & Co. and the affected employee.
The case underscores the importance of swift law‑enforcement response and the role of forensic tools in recovering stolen high‑value items. It also serves as a reminder to retailers and employees to remain vigilant and to report suspicious behavior immediately.
Community impact
Orlando residents and local business owners have expressed relief that the perpetrator has been held accountable. The incident sparked conversations about store security and employee safety, prompting several downtown retailers to review their loss‑prevention protocols.
While the theft involved luxury goods, the broader message resonates with everyday Floridians: criminal actions that threaten public safety and commerce will be pursued aggressively by local authorities.
Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.
