Thief 'eats' Rs 17 lakh gold pendant inspired by James Bond movie. Police wait for him to defecate

According to the jeweler’s website, only 50 such pendants, a tribute to the antagonist in the James Bond movie 'Octopussy', exist globally. (AI-generated image)

The New Zealand police are waiting for a bizarre twist in a high-end jewelry heist — the recovery of a Rs 17 lakh gold pendant allegedly swallowed by a thief.

The 32-year-old man, whose identity has not been disclosed, is accused of gulping down an ornate Fabergé octopus pendant at Partridge Jewelers in Auckland on November 28. The limited-edition piece, valued at 33,000 New Zealand dollars (approximately Rs 17 lakh), was inspired by the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy, New York Post reported.

Police arrested the man inside the store minutes after the alleged theft. He appeared in Auckland District Court on November 29 but did not enter a plea on the charge of theft.

Officer assigned to monitor man until pendant is retrieved

“At the time of his arrest, he underwent a medical assessment, and an officer is assigned to constantly monitor the man,” inspector Grae Anderson said in a statement. “At this stage, the pendant has not been recovered.”

Authorities have confirmed they are waiting for the natural digestive process to retrieve the pendant.

Crafted in gold with 183 diamonds

According to the jeweler’s website, only 50 such pendants exist globally. Crafted from gold and painted with green enamel, the piece is encrusted with 183 diamonds and two sapphires. Standing 8.4 cm tall, the pendant opens to reveal an 18-carat yellow gold octopus adorned with white diamond suckers and black diamond eyes — a tribute to the antagonist in Octopussy.

For now, time and digestion will decide whether the Fabergé octopus makes its second surprise appearance — this time in a police evidence bag.