A Florida thief swallowed two sets of stolen diamond earrings worth close to $770,000 (about ₹6.7 crore) as police closed in on him. The crime, as reported by The Guardian, left detectives with a weird problem—waiting for the high-end jewelry to go through the suspect's digestive system.

Suspect Jaythan Lawrence Gilder carried out the brazen theft in February at an Orlando Tiffany & Co. store. Disguising himself as a representative of a local basketball star, he was able to snatch and make off with diamond earrings worth $769,500. 

The stolen goods consisted of a 4.86-carat pair that cost $160,000 (₹1.4 crore) and an 8.19-carat pair worth $609,500 (₹5.3 crore). In addition, he reportedly stole a diamond ring valued at $587,000 (₹5.1 crore), which was recovered, WFLA reported.

Police quickly identified Gilder's car from security camera license plate information. Thinking he was making his way back to Texas, state troopers followed his car through automated readers on the Florida Turnpike and Interstate 10. They finally pulled him over in Washington County, 550 km from the scene of the crime, for driving with no rear lights.

When he was arrested, Gilder uttered a suspicious comment to prison officials, inquiring if he could be charged with what was in his stomach. This led authorities to perform a body scan, which showed small foreign objects in his digestive system.

“These foreign objects are suspected to be the Tiffany & Co earrings taken in the robbery but will need to be collected … after they are passed,” police stated, according to The Guardian.

Gilder was arrested on the charges of mask robbery and grand theft. Social media-viral video clips capture him making away with the jewels and then trying to beat it. His attempt to escape justice by swallowing the loot has only prolonged the investigation, leaving police with an unusual waiting game.

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