New Zealand man accused of swallowing $33,500 Fabergé pendant

A New Zealand man has been charged with theft after allegedly swallowing a Fabergé James Bond Octopussy pendant valued at more than $33,500 (US$19,200), prompting a rapid police response and an unusual recovery challenge.

Police were called to Partridge Jewellers, a luxury store in central Auckland, on the afternoon of November 28 after staff reported that a man had picked up the high-end pendant and ingested it, according to Grae Anderson, Auckland’s central area commander, The Guardian writes. 

“The Auckland city beat team responded minutes later, arresting the man inside the store,” Anderson said.

Charge sheets seen by The Guardian confirm that the 32-year-old was charged on November 29 with stealing the Fabergé x 007 Special Edition Octopussy Egg Surprise Locket, valued at $33,585. 

Fabergé, famed for its imperial Russian eggs, describes the pendant as an 18-karat yellow gold piece decorated with green guilloché enamel and set with 60 white diamonds and 15 blue sapphires. Inside, the locket “offers a surprise” — a miniature 18k gold octopus with two black diamond eyes.

Police say the pendant has not been recovered. The force was unable to provide photos of the missing item as it “has not yet been recovered”.

The man faces additional charges: allegedly stealing an iPad from the same jewellery store on November 12 and stealing cat litter and flea treatment worth $100 from a private address the following day.

He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to reappear in district court on December 8.

By Sabina Mammadli