A man from New Zealand has been charged with theft after allegedly swallowing a diamond-studded locket. The item, identified as a Fabergé egg locket valued at NZ$33,585 (approximately $19,300 or £14,600), has not been recovered, according to local police.
Authorities responded to a report from Partridge Jewellers in central Auckland last Friday afternoon, where the 32-year-old man was arrested shortly after the incident. Following his arrest, he underwent a medical assessment and remains in police custody.
The locket in question, known as the Octopussy egg, is adorned with 60 white diamonds and 15 blue sapphires. It opens to reveal an intricate 18K gold miniature octopus. The design of the locket takes inspiration from the 1983 James Bond film “Octopussy,” which revolves around the theft of a Fabergé egg.
Fabergé is an esteemed jeweller established in Russia over 200 years ago, renowned for its creations made from precious metals and gemstones. In addition to the charges related to the locket, reports indicate that the suspect faces charges for another alleged theft: stealing an iPad from the same jewellery store on November 12. Furthermore, he is accused of taking cat litter and flea control products valued at NZ$100 from a private residence a day later.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in court again on December 8. The case raises questions about the methods used in theft and the implications of swallowing stolen items.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7vm754r80vo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss