A New Zealand man who allegedly swallowed a diamond-studded Fabergé locket while attempting to steal it has now had the valuable item “recovered”, police have confirmed.
The luxury locket, valued at NZ$33,585 ($19,300; £14,600), was retrieved in a “natural” manner. “Medical intervention [was] not required,” police told the BBC.
The unusual incident occurred last week at Patridge Jewellers in central Auckland, where the 32-year-old suspect was arrested just minutes after he allegedly swallowed the locket in an attempt to avoid being caught. The man has been formally charged with theft.
According to details on the jeweller’s website, the stolen piece is embellished with 60 white diamonds and 15 blue sapphires, and opens to reveal an 18-carat gold miniature octopus inside. The locket is known as the “Octopussy” egg and was inspired by the 1983 James Bond film of the same name, which revolves around a dramatic Fabergé egg heist.
Earlier this week, police confirmed that the accused had undergone a medical assessment and remained under constant observation while in custody.
“Given this man is in police custody, we have a duty of care to continue monitoring him, given the circumstances of what has occurred,” police said then, as quoted by the BBC.
Fabergé, founded in Russia more than 200 years ago, is globally recognised for its luxurious jewellery and iconic gem-encrusted eggs, BBC has reported.
Partridge Jewellers has stated that the recovered locket will be returned to Fabergé, Radio NZ reported.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in court again on 8 December. Charge sheets seen by the BBC also indicate that he faces further charges for allegedly stealing an iPad from the same jewellery store on 12 November, and for taking cat litter and flea control products worth NZ$100 from a private address the following day, BBC has reported.