Police in New Hampshire say they have ‘recovered’ a £2,100 engagement ring a man apparently swallowed during a bungled jewellery store raid.
Ronald Perley, 52, remains in custody after allegedly gulping down the 14-carat white gold ring with princess-cut diamonds at Bellman’s Jewelers, Elm Street, in the American city of Manchester, on Thursday evening.
CCTV footage appears to show Perley taking the ring and putting his hand to his mouth.
Workers said Perley had reacted when the shop was locked down and they confronted him.
‘I ran over to him and he put his hand up to his mouth,’ shop attendant Sandy Gamache told CBS Boston.
‘I told him “don’t swallow the ring”.’
David Bellman, who owns the store, said his son told Perley, ‘you’re staying here, sit down and shut up.’
Police arrived at the scene to find the suspect, but there was no sign of the ring.
However he was charged with theft and falsifying physical evidence after x-rays showed the valuable piece of jewellery inside him.
WMUR-TV said police had recovered the ring as of yesterday after their tactic appeared to pay off. Manchester police spokesperson Lt Maureen Tessier suggested on Friday that they were prepared for a waiting game.
‘At some point that piece of evidence will have to vacate his body; at which point, we’ll seize it,’ she had said.
Perley was being held on £32,600 bail.
