Police 'naturally' recover a $19,000 Fabergé egg swallowed by alleged thief

Police in New Zealand said Friday that they had recovered a Fabergé egg pendant worth $19,000, six days after a man was accused of swallowing it at a jewelry store in an effort to steal it

Police in New Zealand said Friday that they had recovered a Fabergé egg pendant worth $19,000, six days after a man was accused of swallowing it at a jewelry store in an effort to steal it.

The 32-year-old man, who has not been named by authorities, had been closely watched since Nov. 28, when he was arrested after being accused of trying to steal the James Bond-inspired pendant by swallowing it at a Partridge Jewelers store in Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest city. Police said they responded to a call by the store’s staff.

A photo released by police showed the pendant, which they said was recovered Thursday night, being held by a gloved hand. The slim 20-inch-long gold chain still had the price tag attached, showing a value of more than 33,000 New Zealand dollars ($19,000).

“No medical intervention was required and the pendant passed naturally,” police said in a statement.

The suspect remains in custody until his appearance before the Auckland district court on Monday. He did not enter a plea to a charge of theft at his first court appearance on Saturday.