A 32-year-old man from Texas is accused of two felonies after allegedly stealing diamond earrings from a jewellery in an Orlando shopping centre.
According to various media reports, the man allegedly told Tiffany & Co. sales staff that he was interested in purchasing diamond jewellery on behalf of an NBA player from the Orlando Magic.
The man was taken to a private room to view the jewellery, where he then attempted to force his way out of the store carrying jewellery valued at more than $AUD1 million. In a physical altercation, a diamond ring was recovered; however, the suspect fled with earrings.
Investigators obtained the suspect’s licence plate and he was intercepted more than 500 kilometres away from the scene of the crime. Following the arrest, an x-ray of the suspect’s torso revealed what are believed to be the diamond earrings in his digestive tract.
“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,” the department's arrest report said.
The suspect was charged with first-degree felony grand theft and robbery with a mask, a third-degree felony.
WATCH VIDEO
More reading
Trump's jewellery connection: 40 years of unlikely friendship with LVMH
Arrests made during investigation of celebrity jewellery robbery spree
Close but no cigar: Jewellery store robbers leave scene embarrassed
Study uncovers concerning trends in Australian retail crime
Retailers demand help in the fight against crime
Bystanders intervene during terrifying jewellery store robbery
Behind the scenes of one of Victoria’s largest gold heists
Jeweller calls for harsher penalties after dramatic smash and grab
Jewellery retailers warned about elaborate crime spree