New Zealand police have successfully recovered a valuable diamond-studded Fabergé pendant following an unusual six-day ordeal, which concluded with the suspected thief naturally passing the item while in custody, according to reports.
The incident unfolded after authorities maintained constant surveillance over a 32-year-old suspect who allegedly ingested the rare $19,000 pendant during a robbery at Partridge Jewelers, located in downtown Auckland, on November 28, as reported by The Associated Press.
The suspect reportedly swallowed a limited-edition, James Bond-themed egg locket during the theft, and was apprehended inside the store before making an escape. Officers quickly deduced that the pendant had been swallowed, initiating a non-stop observation to await its natural recovery, bypassing any need for medical procedures.
Inspector Grae Anderson commented on the situation earlier this week, stating, “Given this man is in Police custody, we have a duty of care to continue monitoring him given the circumstances of what has occurred,” as reported by The Associated Press.
New Zealand police recovered a diamond-encrusted Fabergé pendant after a suspected thief swallowed the jewelry during a theft at an Auckland store. (Fiona Goodall/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“Given this man is in Police custody, we have a duty of care to continue monitoring him given the circumstances of what has occurred,” Inspector Grae Anderson said earlier this week, The Associated Press reported.
The limited-edition piece is modeled after the Fabergé egg featured in the 1983 James Bond film “Octopussy,” and only 50 were produced.
Crafted from 18-karat gold, painted with green enamel and set with 183 diamonds and two sapphires, the roughly 3.3-inch locket opens to reveal an intricate “18ct yellow gold octopus nestled inside, adorned with white diamond suckers and black diamond eyes,” according to the store’s description.
The man has remained in custody and will appear again in Auckland District Court on Monday. (Bevan Read/Fairfax NZ/STUFF via AP)
The man, who has not been publicly named, appeared in court on Nov. 29 but did not enter a plea to the theft charge.
He has remained in custody since, with officers stationed beside him throughout the wait for the pendant’s return.
He is scheduled to appear again in Auckland District Court on Monday.
