Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer.
Stolen egg passed in custody
What are the odds? Last week we ran a story about a Faberge egg that was looking to reach an astronomical sum at auction in London – this week a piece of Faberge jewellery made news around the world, all after a heist here in New Zealand. Two stories, on either side of the legal spectrum. This one is far more interesting – it involves a theft, swallowing the loot, apprehension, then ‘passing it whilst in custody.
“A Fabergé locket worth more than $33,500, swallowed by a man during an alleged theft at an Auckland jewellery store, has been ‘recovered’. Police had been called at 3.30pm last Friday to the store in Auckland city where a man was accused of picking up a Fabergé James Bond Octopussy Egg pendant and swallowing it. Court documents reveal the pendant was worth $33,585. Inspector Grae Anderson told RNZ the man underwent a medical assessment at the time of his arrest and an officer had been assigned to constantly monitor him. Police confirmed the item was back in their possession.
“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. Police said the 32-year-old man who swallowed the pendant remained in custody and would appear in Auckland District Court next week.” (Source: “Auckland jewellery heist ‘recovered,'” by Finn Blackwell, December 6, www.rnz.co.nz).
5 stars – apart from the theft this story has a happy ending, even if the recovery of the stolen goods was rather novel.
The kindness of strangers
When the story about a veteran in the United States struggling after the loss of his wife and subsequent finacial ruin came to the attention of an Australian ‘influencer’, something remarkable happened.
“An 88-year-old veteran was surprised Friday with more than $1.7 million to help him retire from his job at a Michigan supermarket. Strangers around the world donated the money for Ed Bambas, 88, after he and his story appeared in a recent social media video by Australian social media influencer Sam Weidenhofer. Bambas broke into tears when Weidenhofer unveiled a big check for him.
“Weidenhofer told WXYZ previously that he first learned about Bambas when a stranger shared his story in the comments section of one of his videos. Bambas also spoke with WXYZ previously and explained that he had to return to work nearly a decade ago after his wife died following a long illness, and his former employer eliminated his pension.
“Weidenhofer previously told WXYZ that Bambas’ story inspired him to not only fly over 9,000 miles from Australia to meet with him, but to also set up an online fundraiser to help him retire. The fundraiser has since accrued more than $1.7 million and the money is expected to help Bambas pay off debts and retire a second time. ‘Once my wife died, I didn’t have enough income to pay for [my home] or all the other bills I had accumulated because of my wife’s illness,’ Bambas said at that time.” (Source: “88-year-old veteran who went viral on TikTok surprised with over $1.7 million,” December 6, www.abcnews.go.com).
5 stars – an wonderful gesture and fantastic generosity that will change a life. Upside!
Iconic car left to rust now restored
A man in the UK bought a second hand Aston Martin that he then left to rust in his driveway for over 40 years. Recently he had the car restored and it is now worth a rather stAggering sum.
“A 1960s James Bond-style Aston Martin DB5 – which became so dilapidated local children played on it – has been restored and is now worth £1m. John Williams, 71, from Mold, Flintshire, bought the vehicle second hand in 1973 for £985 – the equivalent of about £15,000 today. He last drove the car, made famous in films Goldfinger and Thunderball, in his 20s, before leaving it to rust on his driveway. Mr Williams saved £400,000 for a three-year restoration at Aston Martin’s Buckinghamshire works, where experts had to remove a mouse nest before carrying out 2,500 hours of repairs.
“Aston Martin’s historian Steve Waddingham said: ‘It would almost be easier to build a brand new car, but to actually repair and put new sections into a very heavily corroded car like this one took an awful lot of skill and patience.’ But he said the effort is worth it, adding: ‘It’s such an overwhelming car to be in the presence of – the smell of, it the feel of it, the noise it makes.They are very special and you cannot get out of your mind those various famous film scenes.'” (Source: “Car made famous by Bond was left to rust on a drive – now it’s worth £1m,” by Matthew Richards, December 3, www.bbc.com).
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