Florida pooper swipes nearly $800k in diamonds. Then cops check his stomach: ‘should have thrown them out the window’

In a wild case involving a fake NBA-related identity and Tiffany diamonds, Jaythan Lawrence Gilder has opted to represent himself in a Florida courtroom as he faces charges stemming from an alleged jewelry heist. Authorities alleged Gilder stole about $800,000 in diamonds and then swallowed the jewels before his arrest.

Gilder, 32, is accused of carrying out the brazen theft at a Tiffany & Co. store at the Mall at Millenia in Orlando, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2025, according to law enforcement records and arrest affidavits. Prosecutors allege he posed as a representative for an Orlando Magic basketball player to gain access to high-value jewelry inside a private viewing room. Once inside, investigators say he grabbed multiple pieces, including diamond earrings valued at roughly $769,000, before fleeing the store, local news outlet WFLA reported.

Jaythan Lawrence Gilder: the man who pooped diamonds

Authorities say Florida Highway Patrol caught up with Gilder in an unrelated traffic stop. During the encounter, officers reported that he resisted arrest and appeared to swallow several objects believed to be the stolen jewelry. A subsequent body scan reportedly revealed foreign objects in his digestive tract, according to police records.

Law enforcement ultimately waited nearly two weeks for the items to pass naturally through Gilder’s system while he was held in custody. Officials later recovered the diamonds, which were cleaned and verified by Tiffany & Co. specialists using serial numbers, confirming they were the stolen items.

Prosecutors say the total value of the stolen items approached $800,000. Some reports placed the combined value of jewelry taken during the incident at more than $1 million.

Gilder’s other crimes

In addition to the Florida charges, Gilder has a broader legal history that includes allegations of similar jewelry thefts in other states, according to court filings and investigative reports. Authorities in Colorado have previously issued multiple warrants tied to unrelated theft cases, and prosecutors there have pursued additional charges that could result in extradition depending on the outcome of the Florida proceedings.

Gilder’s Florida charges include first-degree grand theft and robbery with a mask, both serious felony offenses under state law. He is currently being held at the Orange County Jail without bond, according to court records. As of the most recent available court updates, Gilder has elected to represent himself. Court filings indicate that prosecutors continue to build their case using surveillance footage, witness statements, and forensics of the stolen jewelry

No trial date has been publicly confirmed as of this writing, and the case remains in the pretrial phase in Orange County court. If convicted on the primary charges, Gilder could face decades in prison under Florida sentencing guidelines.