Auckland police have successfully retrieved a valuable Fabergé egg pendant, six days after a suspect allegedly ingested it in a brazen attempt to abscond with the precious item from a renowned jeweller. This intricate piece, valued at over NZ$33,000, was eventually recovered through natural processes after authorities maintained a persistent vigil over the detained individual. The 32-year-old man, whose identity has been withheld, now faces a charge of theft following this peculiar incident at Partridge Jewellers in central Auckland.
The event commenced on November 28th when store personnel alerted police to an alleged theft in progress, prompting a swift response from officers who apprehended the suspect on the premises. It is believed that he swallowed the pendant in a desperate effort to conceal the evidence of his illicit actions. Inspector Grae Anderson of the New Zealand Police confirmed that the man was taken into custody immediately. "Given this man is in police custody, we have a duty of care to continue monitoring him," Inspector Anderson explained, detailing the rationale behind the subsequent unusual police operation.
Following his initial court appearance on November 29th, the suspect was subjected to round-the-clock observation by officers assigned a specific and delicate monitoring duty. For nearly a week, police patiently awaited the item’s passage through his gastrointestinal tract, a process that concluded on the night of December 4th. A police spokesperson confirmed that "medical intervention was not required" for the successful recovery. The pendant was ultimately retrieved still attached to its original gold chain and price tag, appearing undamaged by its extraordinary journey.
This recovered objet d'art is far from ordinary, being one of only fifty limited-edition pendants crafted by the legendary Fabergé house, inspired by the James Bond film *Octopussy*. The 8.4-centimetre tall egg, fashioned from gold and green enamel, is elaborately adorned with 183 diamonds and two sapphires. Its hinged design opens to reveal a meticulously sculpted 18-carat gold octopus, representing a significant financial and artistic asset that will now be returned to its rightful owner. The case starkly illustrates the extensive measures law enforcement may undertake to secure evidence, even when considerable resources are allocated for sustained monitoring. The suspect remains in custody, awaiting his next court appearance.