A New Zealand thief with expensive taste has been arrested after snatching and swallowing a diamond-encrusted green Faberge egg from a high-end jewellery store.
The 32-year-old gulped down the egg late last week from a store in the country's largest city, Auckland, but was arrested before he could flee.
Police said Wednesday they were yet to recover the ornate trinket -- valued around US$20,000 -- but had assigned an officer to watch over the man while waiting for nature to take its course.
"At this stage the pendant has not been recovered," they said in a statement.
The special edition locket was inspired by the James Bond film "Octopussy", which revolves around a plot to steal a rare Faberge egg.
"The exterior of the egg closely follows the design of the Faberge egg featured in the film Octopussy, with a beautiful 18k gold lattice framework which is delicately set with blue sapphires and white diamonds in a floral-like design," reads an online description.
A small golden octopus is nestled inside.
Russia's House of Faberge gained international fame in the late 19th century by designing opulent Easter eggs decorated with gold and precious gems.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
