Police recovers Faberge egg swallowed by thief

December 05, 2025 / 10:25 PM

Sharjah24 - AFP: New Zealand police have retrieved a diamond-studded green Fabergé egg after monitoring a suspected thief who reportedly swallowed the item. The 32-year-old man is accused of taking the egg from a store in Auckland, the country’s largest city, late last week before being apprehended.

Six Days under watch

Authorities confirmed the egg’s recovery on Friday, stating the pendant is now securely in police custody. Officers assigned to the case kept constant watch over the suspect for six days, waiting for the precious object—worth approximately US$20,000—to reappear naturally.

Inspired by a James Bond classic

The stolen egg is a special-edition locket inspired by the James Bond film Octopussy, which centres on a plot to steal a rare Fabergé egg. The pendant mirrors the movie’s design, featuring an 18-karat gold lattice adorned with blue sapphires and white diamonds. Inside the egg lies a small golden octopus.

Fabergé’s enduring legacy

The House of Fabergé, renowned for crafting lavish gem-encrusted Easter eggs in the late 19th century, remains a symbol of opulence and artistic mastery—making the recovery of such an item especially significant.