An Orlando man accused of stealing nearly $770,000 worth of jewelry from Tiffany & Co. at the Mall at Millenia is now behind bars, following a multi-state investigation that took an unusual turn.
Jaythan Gilder, 32, is facing charges of Robbery with a Mask and Grand Theft in the First Degree, along with several outstanding warrants, after authorities say he stole two pairs of diamond earrings from the high-end retailer on February 26, 2025.
According to the Orlando Police Department, Gilder entered the store that afternoon posing as a representative for a professional athlete. Employees showed him a selection of high-value items, including two pairs of Tiffany & Co. earrings valued at $769,500. Gilder then allegedly grabbed the jewelry, pushed past store staff, and fled into the parking lot before driving away in a getaway vehicle.
Detectives quickly identified the suspect and tracked the vehicle westbound toward Texas. Florida Highway Patrol troopers spotted the car on Interstate 10 in Washington County, Florida, where they initiated a traffic stop. Authorities say Gilder resisted arrest and swallowed several small items believed to be the stolen earrings during the encounter.
Gilder was initially taken into custody and transported to a hospital, before being transferred to Orlando on February 27, where he was admitted to a local medical facility. Over the next two weeks, Orlando detectives recovered three of the four missing Tiffany earrings, as well as two additional unidentified diamond earrings, by March 10.
The final earring was recovered on March 12, and detectives later confirmed the items matched the serial numbers from the jewelry reported stolen from Tiffany & Co.
Investigators also discovered Gilder’s connection to a similar robbery in 2022 at a Tiffany & Co. store in The Woodlands, Texas. Records show Gilder had 48 active warrants at the time of his arrest.
He is currently being held at the Orange County Jail as the investigation continues.
Read Arrest Made in Fatal Shooting of Orlando Man Near Rio Grande Avenue
