New Zealand Man Arrested After Swallowing $19,000 James Bond-Inspired Faberge Pendant

A man in New Zealand was arrested for stealing a James Bond-inspired Faberge pendant worth $19,000 and swallowing it to hide it. Police monitored him for six days until the pendant passed naturally and was recovered intact, including its price tag. The limited-edition piece, inspired by the 1983 film "Octopussy," features gold, sapphires, and diamonds, and only fifty were ever made.

New Zealand police have arrested a man suspected of committing an unusual and audacious theft: stealing a James Bond-inspired Faberge pendant and attempting to conceal it by swallowing it. The pendant, part of a limited-edition series, is valued at approximately nineteen thousand dollars, or around sixteen thousand three hundred euros, making it a highly prized and collectible item.

Authorities in Auckland employed an unconventional method to recover the stolen jewelry. Over a period of six days, police closely monitored the thirty-two-year-old suspect to track the passage of the pendant through his digestive system. Remarkably, by late Thursday, the pendant was recovered naturally, without requiring any medical intervention or invasive procedures.

Police released a photograph of the recovered pendant, which still had its original price tag attached. The tag remained intact despite having passed through the suspect’s body, highlighting both the durability of the item and the careful attention paid by law enforcement to preserve evidence.

Inspector Grace Anderson stated that the man would remain under observation while in police custody. She emphasized that law enforcement has a duty of care to ensure the suspect’s well-being, particularly given the unusual circumstances of this case. The monitoring process demonstrates the balance police must maintain between enforcing the law and safeguarding an individual’s health.

The stolen Faberge egg pendant draws inspiration from the 1983 James Bond film "Octopussy," in which Roger Moore played the iconic secret agent. According to descriptions available online, the pendant features an eighteen-karat gold lattice framework, delicately decorated with blue sapphires and white diamonds arranged in a floral motif. The exquisite craftsmanship reflects the enduring legacy of Faberge, with only fifty such limited-edition eggs ever produced.

The pendant was taken during a theft at a jewelry store in Auckland, adding to a long history of Faberge items being highly sought after and sometimes targeted in crimes due to their rarity and value. Faberge eggs, especially those adorned with gold and precious gemstones, first gained worldwide fame in the late nineteenth century. They were celebrated for their intricate design, exquisite artistry, and luxurious appeal, and they continue to captivate collectors and enthusiasts around the globe.

The recovery of this pendant underscores both its historical significance and the unusual measures involved in reclaiming stolen property. The case has drawn attention for its bizarre circumstances, blending elements of high-value theft, international film-inspired design, and the extraordinary patience required by authorities to secure the item safely. It serves as a reminder of the lengths some individuals will go to obtain valuable collectibles, and the equally extraordinary efforts police may employ to recover them.