A New Zealand man has been charged with theft after he allegedly swallowed a diamond-studded locket in an unusual manner.
Police told local media outlets that the looted items – a Fabergé egg locket worth NZ$33,585 ($19,300; £14,600) – have not yet been recovered.
Police were called to Partridge Jewelers in central Auckland last Friday afternoon and the 32-year-old man was arrested in the store minutes later. Police say he has been medically evaluated and is in custody.
According to the jeweler’s website, the allegedly stolen Fabergé egg is set with 60 white diamonds and 15 blue sapphires, and when opened to reveal a miniature 18K gold octopus.
The Octopussy Egg, as it is named, was inspired by the 1983 James Bond film of the same name, which focuses on the heist of an elaborate Fabergé egg.
Fabergé is a world-renowned jeweler founded in Russia more than two centuries ago, famous for its eggs made of gems and precious metals.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in court again on December 8.
According to reports, he is also accused of allegedly stealing an iPad from the same jewelery store on November 12 and NZ$100 worth of cat litter and flea control products from a private address a day later.
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