In a case that reads more like a film plot than a police report, authorities in New Zealand have finally recovered a valuable James Bond-inspired Fabergé pendant from the gastrointestinal tract of a man accused of swallowing it.
The Unusual Theft and Arrest
The incident began on 28 November at Partridge Jewellers in Auckland. A 32-year-old man, who has not been named publicly, allegedly consumed an ornate jeweled octopus pendant valued at 33,000 New Zealand dollars (approximately £16,000 or $19,000 USD). He was arrested inside the store just minutes after the alleged theft and has remained in police custody ever since.
A Six-Day Vigil for Evidence
What followed was a unique and lengthy police operation. For six days, officers were stationed with the man around the clock, monitoring his every bowel movement. Inspector Grae Anderson stated on Wednesday that, given the man was in custody, police had a duty of care to monitor him under the extraordinary circumstances.
The wait ended on Thursday night, when the pendant was "recovered by natural means", according to a police spokesperson. No medical intervention was required. A photograph released by police showed the recovered item—an 8.4 centimetre tall egg pendant still attached to its long gold chain and price tag—held in a gloved hand.
The Glamorous Loot with a Cinematic Link
The stolen item was no ordinary piece of jewellery. It was a limited-edition Fabergé egg pendant, one of only 50 made, inspired by the 1983 James Bond film "Octopussy". The film's plot centrally features a jewel-smuggling operation involving a fake Fabergé egg.
According to the store's description, the gold egg is painted with green enamel and encrusted with 183 diamonds and two sapphires. It opens to reveal an 18-carat yellow gold octopus inside, adorned with white diamond suckers and black diamond eyes—a direct homage to the film's antagonist.
The man made an initial court appearance on 29 November and is next due at Auckland District Court on 8 December, facing a charge of theft. For now, both the man and the newly recovered, if slightly worse-for-wear, necklace remain in police custody.
