Police are waiting for evidence to emerge after a man allegedly ate a £15,000 Fabergé pendant in an attempt to smuggle it out of a jewellery store.
The 32-year-old man, who has not been publicly named, is accused of swallowing the ornate octopus pendant – inspired by the James Bond film Octopussy – at Partridge Jewelers in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland.
He was arrested inside the shop minutes after the alleged theft.
The man did not enter a plea when he appeared in Auckland District Court on 29 November.
“At the time of his arrest he underwent a medical assessment, and an officer is assigned to constantly monitor the man,” Inspector Grae Anderson said in a statement.
“At this stage the pendant has not been recovered.”
The alleged loot was a limited-edition Fabergé egg pendant inspired by the 1983 James Bond film.
Central to the film's plot is a jewel-smuggling operation that involves a fake Fabergé egg.
The shop’s website says the egg, only 50 of which have been made, is crafted from gold, painted with green enamel and encrusted with 183 diamonds and two sapphires.
The pendant is 8.4 centimetres (3.3 inches) tall and is mounted on a stand.
It retails for NZ$33,000.
“The egg opens to reveal an 18ct yellow gold octopus nestled inside, adorned with white diamond suckers and black diamond eyes,” an item description said.
“The octopus surprise pays homage to the eponymous antagonist at the centre of the Octopussy film.”
Time and digestion will tell if another octopus surprise is forthcoming.
“Given this man is in police custody, we have a duty of care to continue monitoring him given the circumstances of what has occurred,” Mr Anderson said.
The accused man is due to appear in court again on 8 December.
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