Source: Radio New Zealand
The valuable pendant. Supplied / NZ police
The man accused of swallowing a $33,500 Fabergé egg pendant has pleaded not guilty to a number of charges.
The man, who cannot be named, was charged with theft after allegedly trying to steal the pendant from Partridge Jewellers in the central city.
Court documents name the necklace as a Fabergé James Bond Octopussy Egg pendant, worth $33,585.
The man faced a number of charges when he appeared in the Auckland District Court on Monday, and entered not guilty pleas through his lawyer.
He has been remanded in custody and is expected to reappear in court in February.
An online listing for the locket said it had been crafted from 18ct yellow gold and set with 60 white diamonds and 15 blue sapphires.
A golden octopus inside the locket was set with two black diamonds for eyes.
It took multiple days for the pendant to be ‘recovered’.
Partridge said the pendant would be returned to Fabergé.
In a statement released to RNZ, Partridge Jewellers confirmed the attempted theft took place at its Queen Street store.
“The store management team responded immediately, and police were on site to detain the person in question within minutes.
“The safety of Partridge’s clients and staff is the highest priority, and the team is grateful for the police’s swift support in dealing with the situation, which is now in the hands of legal professionals.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
