In a bizarre turn of events in Wellington, New Zealand, authorities are playing the waiting game after a man reportedly attempted to steal a high-value pendant by swallowing it. The peculiar incident took place at Partridge Jewelers in Auckland, where a man allegedly ingested a Fabergé octopus pendant valued at 33,000 New Zealand dollars, equivalent to about 19,000 USD.
The 32-year-old suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed, carried out the alleged act on November 28. As of Wednesday, police have yet to retrieve any physical evidence of the theft, leaving them to rely on a natural outcome to recover the pendant.
Inspector Grae Anderson provided an update, stating that upon arrest, the suspect underwent a medical evaluation. “An officer is continually overseeing the man,” Anderson noted, “though the pendant has not yet resurfaced.”
Authorities apprehended the man within the jewelry store shortly after the alleged incident. He subsequently appeared in the Auckland District Court on November 29, facing a charge of theft, though he refrained from entering a plea.
The pendant in question is a limited-edition piece inspired by the 1983 James Bond film “Octopussy,” which intriguingly revolves around a jewel-smuggling scheme involving a counterfeit Fabergé egg. The connection to the film adds an ironic twist to this unusual tale of alleged theft.
The alleged loot was a limited-edition, Fabergé egg pendant inspired by the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy. Central to the film’s plot is a jewel-smuggling operation that involves a fake Fabergé egg.
The store’s website says the egg, only 50 of which have been made, is crafted from gold, painted with green enamel and encrusted with 183 diamonds and two sapphires. The pendant is 8.4 centimeters (3.3 inches) tall and is mounted on a stand.
“The egg opens to reveal an 18ct yellow gold octopus nestled inside, adorned with white diamond suckers and black diamond eyes,” an item description said. “The octopus surprise pays homage to the eponymous antagonist at the centre of the Octopussy film.”
Time and digestion will tell if another octopus surprise is forthcoming.
“Given this man is in Police custody, we have a duty of care to continue monitoring him given the circumstances of what has occurred,” Anderson said.
The accused man is due to appear in court again Dec. 8.
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