A man who stole a rare Fabergé pendant by swallowing it has passed the item after six days under police watch, authorities said Friday.
The 32-year-old allegedly took the green, diamond-studded pendant—valued at around $19,000—from a store in central Auckland late last week. Police arrested him before he could leave the area and assigned an officer to supervise him until the item reappeared.
In a statement, police confirmed the pendant was recovered and is now in their custody. They said the operation required patience and constant observation while waiting for the item to pass naturally.
Pendant retrieved after days of police surveillance
The pendant, known as the Fabergé x 007 Special Edition Octopussy Egg Surprise Locket, is part of a luxury collection inspired by the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy, which centers on the theft of a rare Fabergé egg.
A man in New Zealand who swallowed a $19,000 Fabergé pendant during a theft has finally passed the item after 6 days under police watch. The rare locket, inspired by James Bond’s Octopussy, is now back in police custody.#Fabergé #NewZealand #CrimeNews #JamesBond pic.twitter.com/Iq2QshZydB
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) December 5, 2025
Charging documents, reviewed by The Guardian, show the man was formally charged on November 29.
The pendant stands 3.3 inches tall, features an 18-karat gold lattice design, and is mounted on a display stand. It is detailed with blue sapphires and white diamonds arranged in a floral pattern.
Man arrested after swallowing stolen Fabergé pendant
Inside, it holds a gold octopus figure adorned with black diamond eyes and white diamond suckers, designed as a tribute to the film’s central character.
The House of Fabergé, originally based in Russia, gained fame in the late 19th century for crafting elaborate Easter eggs for the imperial family. Earlier this week, a separate Fabergé egg made of crystal and diamonds sold for $30.2 million at a London auction, setting a new record.
