A brazen theft unfolded on February 26, 2025, in a Tiffany & Co. jewelry store located in a bustling mall in Orlando, Florida. Jaythan Gilder, a 32-year-old from Houston, Texas, allegedly created an elaborate ruse to pull off what authorities describe as a shocking robbery worth nearly three-quarters of a million dollars. Dressed in a red Polo shirt, torn jeans, and a matching red hat, Gilder reportedly claimed he was a representative negotiating a sale for a player from the Orlando Magic basketball team.
- Man pretended to represent NBA player.
- Alleged robbery occurred at Tiffany & Co.
- Gilder fled with earrings valued at $769,500.
- Suspect swallowed jewelry during arrest.
- Previous similar robbery charge in Texas.
- Charged with grand theft and robbery.
The scene inside the Tiffany store took a dramatic turn when Gilder, escorted into the VIP area due to the high value of the merchandise, suddenly lunged for the jewelry. Witnesses reported that he violently attempted to escape, pushing against the sliding doors with such ferocity that store employee Amit Nayee was injured in the struggle. Nayee tried to intervene, but Gilder’s determination was overwhelming. He managed to seize two pairs of diamond earrings, each valued at $160,000 and $609,500, along with a diamond ring worth $587,000.
“I thought he might have a weapon,” a terrified store employee recounted to investigators. When Gilder broke free, he ran through the store, dodging staff as he made his way to the exit. Security footage later captured him speeding away in a blue 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander, a vehicle that would soon lead officers directly to his location.
Authorities, alerted by the mall’s security footage, identified the car and executed a traffic stop shortly before 8 p.m. that same evening. Gilder was arrested, but not without resistance. He was already facing charges for obstructing the officers who attempted to question him. In a striking twist, as officers began the booking process, Gilder reportedly swallowed multiple items, allegedly the expensive earrings. “I should have thrown them out the window,” he was heard saying, hinting at the panic that had overtaken him.
Once in custody, a forensic examination revealed foreign objects within his stomach, raising inevitable questions about the recovery of the stolen jewelry. Court documents revealed that the stolen earrings are collectively valued at approximately $769,500. Nayee, the employee who confronted Gilder, identified him during a lineup at the county jail, bolstering the case against him.
What makes this incident even more disturbing is Gilder’s troubling history. Authorities discovered that he had been charged in a nearly identical robbery at a Tiffany store in Texas in 2022 and was also facing 48 additional warrants for failure to appear in Colorado. This background paints Gilder not just as a desperate criminal, but as a repeat offender emboldened by past transgressions.
As of now, Gilder remains incarcerated at the Orange County Jail, facing serious charges of grand theft in the first degree and robbery with a mask, despite not being masked during the crime. The legal definitions hinge on the context of his disguise—a gauze covering on his nose and an arm bandage were deemed sufficient by police to classify the incident as robbery with a mask.
The repercussions of this theft extend beyond legal ramifications; they reflect a broader societal issue surrounding rampant retail crime and its impacts on both businesses and consumers. Tiffany’s and larger brands are increasingly becoming targets in a climate where professional crime rings and opportunistic individuals alike exploit vulnerabilities.
As the legal process continues to unfold, the community is left on edge, wondering how and if justice will be fully served. Future court dates loom for Gilder, as the investigation remains active. Authorities have not confirmed the recovery of the earrings, creating a lingering sense of uncertainty for the store that has defined luxury for generations. What remains clear is that this audacious heist has not just shaken up a high-end jewelry store but has also left a deep mark on the individuals involved and the wider community.
