A New Zealand man has been charged with theft after stealing a diamond-encrusted locket in an unusual way – by swallowing it.
Police told local media they had yet to recover the loot – a Fabergé egg rocket worth NZ$33,585 ($19,300, £14,600).
Police were called to Partridge Jewelers in central Auckland last Friday afternoon and the 32-year-old man was arrested minutes later. He underwent a medical evaluation and remains in custody, police said.
According to the jeweler’s website, the Fabergé egg believed to have been stolen is set with 60 white diamonds and 15 blue sapphires and, when opened, reveals an 18k gold miniature octopus.
The named Octopussy egg was inspired by the 1983 James Bond film, which centered around an elaborate Fabergé egg heist.
Fabergé is a world-renowned jeweler founded in Russia over 200 years ago and famous for its eggs made of gemstones and precious metals.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in court again on December 8.
He was reportedly accused of stealing an iPad from the same jewelery store on November 12 and taking cat litter and NZ$100 worth of flea control products from a private address the following day.
