Police in New Zealand successfully recovered a Fabergé egg pendant valued at $19,000 six days after an alleged theft attempt by a man who reportedly swallowed the item in a jewelry store. The incident occurred on November 28, 2023, at Partridge Jewelers in Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand.
Authorities detained the 32-year-old man, whose identity has not been disclosed, after staff at the store alerted police. Upon arrival, officers discovered the suspect had ingested the pendant in an attempt to steal it. A photo released by the police shows the gold pendant, which was retrieved on the evening of December 4, 2023, being held by an officer in a gloved hand.
The pendant, which features intricate designs inspired by the James Bond film “Octopussy,” is crafted from 18-carat yellow gold and adorned with 60 white diamonds and 15 blue sapphires. The item, measuring approximately the size of a large fingernail, had a price tag indicating a retail value of over 33,000 New Zealand dollars.
In a statement, the police confirmed, “No medical intervention was required and the pendant passed naturally.” Following his arrest, the suspect underwent a medical assessment and was under constant surveillance to monitor the situation.
Inspector Grae Anderson, the Auckland Central Area Commander, stated, “Given this man is in police custody, we have a duty of care to continue monitoring him given the circumstances of what has occurred.”
The pendant’s design pays homage to a scene in “Octopussy,” where Bond participates in an auction for a “superb green-gold imperial Easter egg by Carl Fabergé.” According to Fabergé’s website, the locket opens to reveal a miniature 18-carat gold octopus set with two black diamond eyes.
As the legal process unfolds, the suspect remains in custody, with a scheduled appearance before the Auckland District Court on December 8, 2023. He did not enter a plea during his initial court appearance on Saturday. The case has drawn significant media attention, showcasing not only the allure of luxury items but also highlighting unusual methods of theft.
