A diamond-studded locket swallowed by a New Zealand man who tried to steal it has been recovered, police report. The Fabergé egg locket, valued at NZ$33,585 ($19,300; £14,600), was retrieved in a 'natural' manner without any medical intervention, according to police statements.
This peculiar incident took place just a week after the 32-year-old suspect was apprehended at Partridge Jewellers in central Auckland, moments after he allegedly swallowed the locket to evade arrest.
The valuable item is adorned with 60 white diamonds and 15 blue sapphires, and is known to open into an 18-carat gold miniature octopus, as detailed on the jeweller's website.
Following his arrest, the man has been charged with theft and is currently under constant surveillance as per police requirement due to the unusual circumstances of the case.
New Zealand police stated that the suspect, who has been monitored regularly, will appear in court again on December 8. Alongside the theft of the Fabergé egg, he faces additional charges for allegedly stealing an iPad and other household items from various locations.
The octopussy egg, as it is popularly referred, draws inspiration from the 1983 James Bond film centering around a similar Fabergé egg heist. The luxury jeweller Fabergé was established over two centuries ago in Russia and is celebrated for its elaborate gemstone-encrusted creations.
Partridge Jewellers confirmed that the stolen locket will be returned to Fabergé following the recovery.
