New Zealand police have recovered a Fabergé egg pendant valued at NZ$33,000 (£19,000) from a man accused of swallowing it in a jewellery store. The 32-year-old suspect had been in custody since the alleged theft on 28 November at Partridge Jewelers in Auckland.
Police spent six days monitoring the man's bowel movements, and the pendant was recovered naturally on Thursday night without medical intervention. A spokesperson confirmed that the necklace and the man remain in police custody.
The pendant is a limited-edition piece inspired by the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy. Only 50 were made, crafted from gold, green enamel, 183 diamonds, and two sapphires. It opens to reveal an 18-carat gold octopus with diamond suckers and black diamond eyes.
The suspect is due to appear in Auckland District Court on 8 December. He did not enter a plea to theft charges at his first appearance on 29 November. Inspector Grae Anderson stated that police had a duty of care to monitor the man given the circumstances.
