Man jailed for £2m theft of handbag containing Faberge egg and gold watch

A man who stole a handbag containing a Faberge egg and watch - worth about £2m combined - has been jailed for more than two years.

Police are still searching for the items after the thief refused to disclose what happened to them.

Enzo Conticello, of no fixed address, made off with the bag at a pub in Soho, central London, on 7 November 2024.

The items had been on display at an event earlier, but an employee of the company that owned them became Conticello's unfortunate victim when she stopped for a drink.

CCTV showed him stealing the bag, and attempting to steal another rucksack a few minutes earlier.

Conticello - also known as Hakin Boudjenoune - was later seen using credit cards from the bag to buy cigarettes and other goods.

He was arrested by Met detectives 12 months later after police in Belfast detained him over another theft under a different name.

Conticello, 29, pleaded guilty to theft and fraud in February this year.

After admitting the charges, the judge told him: "I expect it was probably quite a surprise to you when you discovered that egg."

The stolen items - which also included a laptop - belonged to The Craft Irish Whiskey Company and the court was told they were worth at least $2.8m (£2.1m).

The firm collaborated with Faberge to create bespoke eggs as part of an exclusive whiskey collection which also included the gold watch.

Seven eggs were made, each decorated with a unique gemstone surrounded by a diamond Celtic knot.

Conticello admitted theft and three counts of fraud by misrepresentation and was sentenced on Thursday at Southwark Crown Court to two years and three months in prison.

"The defendant never explained to the police what he did with the expensive jewellery," said Detective Constable Arben Morina.

"Our investigation to find the egg and the watch is ongoing and we'd urge anyone with information to contact us."

A 25-year-old man was arrested in November 2024 on suspicion of handling stolen goods after the whiskey company was approached about the items' value.

However, after a review of the evidence, no further action was taken.

(c) Sky News 2026: Man jailed for £2m theft of handbag containing Faberge egg and gold watch