In what police are calling one of the most bizarre thefts Auckland has seen in years, a 32-year-old man was arrested last week after allegedly stealing a miniature Fabergé egg from a luxury jewelry store and then swallowing it whole in a desperate attempt to hide the evidence.
The unusual incident unfolded in the heart of Auckland’s city center, where the suspect, whose name has not been released by authorities, reportedly grabbed the tiny, jewel-encrusted ornament before fleeing the store. Staff immediately alerted police, setting off a brief chase that ended with the man’s arrest just a short distance away. Recovering the stolen item, however, turned out to be far more complicated.
The object at the center of the heist is no ordinary trinket. Valued at around US$20,000, the miniature Fabergé egg is a special edition piece inspired by the James Bond film Octopussy. The pendant-sized egg contains an 18-carat gold octopus figurine and is crafted with painstaking detail. According to the jeweller, the design closely mirrors the Fabergé egg featured in the 1983 film, complete with an 18K gold lattice exterior set with six white diamonds and 15 blue sapphires. Its intricate, floral-inspired detailing and hidden golden cephalopod make it a prized piece among collectors.
Police said they were called to the store shortly after the theft was reported. Officers quickly tracked down the suspect, but when they questioned him, it became clear the recovery of the egg would not be immediate. The man, apparently determined to prevent police from retrieving the stolen item, had swallowed the entire pendant.
Officials confirmed that the suspect was taken into custody before he could leave the city. But from that point on, the investigation shifted from a chase to a waiting game. Under medical supervision, an officer was assigned to observe the suspect until nature took its course. “At this stage, the pendant has not been recovered,” police said in a statement, hinting at the delicate and rather uncomfortable process ahead.
The theft has sparked discussions about the vulnerability of high-value items that are small enough to be easily concealed—or, in this case, consumed. While thieves often go to extreme lengths to evade law enforcement, swallowing a gold and gemstone-studded object raises serious questions about personal safety and the risks criminals are willing to take.
The heist also adds an unexpected chapter to the long and storied legacy of Fabergé. The House of Fabergé, established in Russia in the late 19th century, became world-famous for its elaborate Easter eggs crafted for the imperial family. Though the stolen pendant is a modern interpretation, it carries the same aura of opulence and craftsmanship that has made the brand legendary.
For the jeweller, the ordeal is both financially and practically troublesome. Even once the pendant is recovered, it will likely require extensive cleaning and possibly repairs—after its unusual detour. Despite the stress, the store has acknowledged the global attention the case has attracted, with many observers finding the situation equal parts absurd and astonishing.
As the investigation continues, one thing is clear that this strange saga of the “Golden Gulper” will go down as one of the most unforgettable jewelry heists in recent memory.
