Impostor Swallows $769K Stolen Tiffany Jewelry, Posing as NBA Rep
A recent event has left the nation in shock as Jaythan Gilder, a 32-year-old man from Houston, Texas, masqueraded as a representative of a professional basketball player to commit a daring theft at a Tiffany & Co. jewelry store in Orlando, Florida. The incident, which occurred on February 26th, involved Gilder entering the store under false pretenses and making off with jewelry valued at an astonishing $769,500. Let’s delve into the details of this audacious heist and the subsequent events that unfolded.
Inside the Jewelry Store Heist
According to court documents reviewed by CBS News, Gilder entered the Tiffany & Co. store wearing a distinctive outfit comprising a red hat, a red Polo-brand shirt, and heavily ripped blue jeans. Claiming to be a representative named Shawn negotiating a sale for an Orlando Magic basketball player, Gilder managed to persuade store staff to bring him to the VIP room due to the high value of the merchandise involved. The stolen items included two pairs of diamond earrings valued at $160,000 and $609,500 each, as well as a diamond ring worth $587,000.
Once inside the VIP room, Gilder’s true intentions were revealed as he swiftly grabbed the jewelry and attempted to flee by force, causing a commotion that led to a scuffle with store associate Amit Nayee. Despite Nayee’s efforts to restrain Gilder, the thief managed to escape with the earrings, leaving behind the dropped diamond ring. In a daring escape, Gilder ran through the store, evading other staff members and causing panic among onlookers who feared for their safety.
The Chase and Arrest
Following the theft, Gilder was captured on mall parking lot security cameras entering a blue 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander. Law enforcement authorities were able to track the vehicle’s movements through public safety cameras and toll records, leading to a traffic stop by the Florida Highway Patrol later that evening. Despite Gilder’s resistance during the investigation, he was apprehended and identified as the perpetrator. Earring forms and price tags from Tiffany & Co. were discovered inside the vehicle, providing incriminating evidence of the stolen goods.
During his arrest, Gilder made a shocking attempt to conceal the stolen earrings by swallowing them, a desperate act witnessed by the officers. Subsequent scans at Washington County Jail revealed foreign objects in Gilder’s stomach, suspected to be the missing jewelry with a combined value of $769,500. Despite Gilder’s attempts to evade justice, he was positively identified by Nayee in a lineup at the jail, confirming his involvement in the brazen heist.
At the time of this report, the fate of the stolen earrings remains uncertain, as authorities have not confirmed their recovery. Gilder is currently being held at Orange County Jail on charges of grand theft in the first degree and robbery with a mask, with his criminal history revealing a prior similar offense at a Tiffany & Co. store in Texas in 2022. Additionally, he faces 48 outstanding warrants for failure to appear in court in Colorado, further complicating his legal predicament.
In this enthralling tale of deception and greed, Jaythan Gilder’s audacious heist serves as a stark reminder of the lengths individuals will go to for ill-gotten gains. As authorities work to unravel the details of this daring crime, the fate of the stolen Tiffany jewelry hangs in the balance, leaving us to ponder the consequences of such reckless acts in pursuit of wealth and luxury. Stay tuned for further developments in this captivating saga of crime and intrigue.
