Full Breakdown
New Zealand Man Charged with Theft After Allegedly Swallowing Fabergé Pendant
12/4/2025, 2:40:05 AM
Incident Overview
A 32-year-old man in New Zealand has been charged with theft after allegedly swallowing a Fabergé pendant valued at NZ$33,585 (approximately $19,300) during an attempted theft at Partridge Jewellers in central Auckland. The incident occurred on November 28, 2025, when police were alerted around 3:30 p.m. local time. Officers arrived shortly after and arrested the man inside the store.
Details of the Stolen Item
The stolen item is a limited-edition Fabergé James Bond Octopussy Egg pendant, inspired by the 1983 film "Octopussy." According to the jeweller's website, the pendant is crafted from 18-karat yellow gold, painted with green guilloché enamel, and encrusted with 60 white diamonds and 15 blue sapphires. It features a surprise element, opening to reveal a miniature 18-carat gold octopus adorned with two black diamond eyes. Only 50 of these pendants were produced.
Legal Proceedings
Following his arrest, the man underwent a medical assessment and remains in custody under constant police monitoring. He appeared in the Auckland District Court on November 29, where he did not enter a plea. His next court appearance is scheduled for December 8. In addition to the theft of the Fabergé pendant, he faces charges for allegedly stealing an iPad from the same store on November 12 and for stealing cat litter and flea treatment from a private residence the following day.
Official Statements
Inspector Grae Anderson, the Auckland Central Area Commander, stated, “Given this man is in police custody, we have a duty of care to continue monitoring him given the circumstances of what has occurred.” He confirmed that the pendant has not yet been recovered, and police are awaiting its emergence.
Criticism & Opposition
While the incident has drawn attention due to its unusual nature, there has been no significant public dissent regarding the police's handling of the case. The bizarre method of theft—swallowing the item—has sparked discussions about the lengths to which individuals may go to evade capture.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
There are no significant discrepancies in the reports regarding the details of the incident or the charges against the man. However, the exact timeline of events leading to the theft remains somewhat unclear, particularly regarding the man's actions prior to entering the store.
Verbatim Quotes
- “At the time of his arrest, he underwent a medical assessment, and an officer is assigned to constantly monitor the man,” — Inspector Grae Anderson, Auckland Central Area Commander
- “The egg opens to reveal an 18ct yellow gold octopus nestled inside, adorned with white diamond suckers and black diamond eyes,” — Fabergé item description
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with thefts of high-value items, particularly in unique circumstances such as this. The outcome of the legal proceedings will be closely monitored as the case unfolds.
