New Zealand police have recovered a Fabergé egg pendant from a man accused of swallowing it in a jewellery store. The suspect, a 32-year-old man, had been under round-the-clock surveillance for six days as officers monitored his bowel movements.
The pendant, valued at NZ$33,000 ($19,000), was retrieved naturally on Thursday night without medical intervention. Police provided a photo showing the pendant still attached to a gold chain with an intact price tag.
The man allegedly swallowed the item at Partridge Jewelers in Auckland on 28 November and was arrested minutes later. He has been in custody since and is due to appear in Auckland district court on 8 December. He has not yet entered a plea.
Inspector Grae Anderson said police had a duty of care to monitor the man given the circumstances. The pendant is a limited-edition piece inspired by the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy, made of gold, green enamel, 183 diamonds, and two sapphires. It is one of only 50 made.
