Florida man behind Mall at Millenia’s bizarre jewelry heist found guilty

A Central Florida man accused for swallowing jewely after a bizarre jewelry heist at Mall at Millenia last year has been found guilty, according to the State Attorney’s Office on Thursday.In a release, State Attorney Monique Worrell said a jury found the man — identified as Jaythan Gilder — guilty of robbery and grand theft following the theft, which took place at the mall’s Tiffany Co. store in Orlando.“This case involved not only a significant financial loss, but also the safety of employees who were confronted with violence while simply doing their jobs,” Worrell said. “This verdict sends a clear message that violence and theft will not be tolerated in our community.”WHAT HAPPENED?The incident was first reported in February 2025, when Gilder posed as a representative negotiating a jewelry purchase on behalf of a professional basketball player, officials explained.But during this act, he grabbed merchandise valued at over $760,000 and tried to force his way out of the store, the re