A man has been charged after allegedly stealing from an Auckland jewellery store – by swallowing a pendant worth more than $30,000.
Police were called to the store in central Auckland around 3.30pm on Friday, Inspector Grae Anderson told 1News.
“A man inside the store had allegedly picked up a pendant and swallowed it,” he said.
The pendant was a limited-edition Fabergé James Bond Octopussy Egg worth $33,585, according to court documents seen by RNZ.
The locket – a nod to the 1983 film featuring the fictional Secret Service spy – featured an 18k yellow gold and green guilloché enamel Fabergé egg inlaid with diamonds and sapphires. An octopus was set inside with black diamonds for eyes.
The 32-year-old was arrested inside the store minutes later.
“At this stage, the pendant has not yet been recovered,” Anderson said.
The man has been remanded in custody to reappear in the Auckland District Court on December 8, charged with theft.
