A suspected thief made headlines after allegedly swallowing two pairs of diamond earrings during his arrest along a highway in the Florida Panhandle, complicating the detective’s task of retrieving nearly $770,000 worth of stolen Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
An X-ray of the 32-year-old man’s torso revealed a shiny white mass, which Orlando Police believe to be the stolen earrings nestled in his digestive tract. The arrest report noted, “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.”
Handwriting on a commitment order dated Monday, March 3, indicated that the suspect was receiving medical attention.
The man, originally from Texas, is accused of stealing the earrings from a shopping center in Orlando on Wednesday, February 26. During the theft, he reportedly told Tiffany sales associates that he was interested in purchasing diamond earrings and a ring on behalf of an Orlando Magic basketball player.
After being escorted to a VIP room to view the jewelry, the suspect suddenly jumped up, grabbed the items, and attempted to force his way out. One sales associate was injured trying to stop him but managed to knock a diamond ring valued at $587,000 from his grasp.
Detectives tracked down the suspect’s vehicle using mall security footage. They believed he was heading back to Texas, prompting state troopers to monitor tag readers along the Florida Turnpike and Interstate 10. He was ultimately pulled over in Washington County, nearly 550 kilometers away, for driving without rear lights.
As he was being taken into custody, the suspect swallowed several items, presumed to be the earrings. He now faces charges of first-degree felony grand theft and third-degree felony robbery with a mask.
Court records indicated that he did not have an attorney listed, and as of Wednesday morning, March 6, he was reported to be in police custody in Orange County, Florida, where Orlando is located.
