Police Recover $19k Fabergé Egg from Inside Alleged Thief
An audacious and bizarre theft attempt in New Zealand has reached its natural conclusion. Police in Auckland confirmed the recovery of a diamond-studded Fabergé egg locket, valued at over $19,000, that was swallowed by a man during an alleged heist. The valuable piece was retrieved without any need for surgery.
It was a delicate situation. The 32-year-old suspect was arrested about a week prior at Partridge Jewellers in central Auckland, just moments after he allegedly ingested the high-value item to conceal it. Following the arrest, authorities were left with a unique problem: waiting.
“Medical intervention [was] not required,” police officials told the BBC, stating the locket was recovered in a “natural” manner.
A High-Stakes Gulp
The incident unfolded quickly. After the man was apprehended inside the luxury jewelry store, it became apparent the locket was missing. Suspicions that he had swallowed the loot led to his immediate medical assessment. He remained in police custody under constant observation, a situation that authorities took very seriously.
Police were clear about their obligations. Their focus shifted from the crime to the man’s well-being while ensuring the evidence wasn’t lost. A police statement from earlier in the week highlighted their responsibility.
“Given this man is in police custody, we have a duty of care to continue monitoring him given the circumstances of what has occurred,” police said.
The waiting game finally ended, bringing a close to one of the stranger property recovery operations the force has likely handled.
The ‘Octopussy’ Connection
The ingested item wasn’t just any piece of jewelry. Named the “Octopussy egg,” the locket is an intricate work of art with a cinematic connection. Its design was inspired by the 1983 James Bond film of the same name, which itself features a plot centered on a Fabergé egg heist. Life, in this case, certainly imitated art.
The locket’s specifications underscore its significant value:
- Gemstones: It is set with 60 white diamonds and 15 blue sapphires.
- Surprise Inside: The egg opens to reveal a miniature octopus crafted from 18-carat gold.
- Value: The piece is priced at NZ$33,585, which is approximately $19,300 USD.
Fabergé, the world-famous jewelry house founded in Russia over two centuries ago, is legendary for its opulent and masterfully crafted eggs made from precious metals and gems. According to Radio NZ, Partridge Jewellers confirmed the recovered locket will be returned directly to Fabergé.
A Pattern of Alleged Crimes
The Fabergé egg incident appears to be just one part of a larger story. Court documents reviewed by the BBC show the suspect is facing more than a single charge of theft. His alleged activities were not limited to high-end jewelry.
He has also been charged with stealing an iPad from the very same jewelry store on November 12. In a strange turn, another charge alleges that a day later he made off with roughly NZ$100 worth of cat litter and flea control products from a private residence. This mix of high-value and mundane items paints a complicated picture of the alleged crime spree. The suspect was scheduled to appear in court again on December 8 to face these charges.