A would-be jewel thief who swallowed a 1.5 carat diamond ring has been forced by nature to give up the evidence, Florida police said.

A Clearwater Police Department spokesman said on Wednesday that Mary Flowers, 38, was arrested last week after a surveillance tape showed her putting the $20,000 ring in her mouth at a jewelry store in a mall.

Flowers denied swallowing the ring until an X-ray showed it was inside her.

She was kept under observation in a jail cell until the ring passed through her digestive system late on Monday.

Flowers has been charged with grand theft with bail set at $5,000. Police are keeping the ring until the case is completed.

Close

Today's Top News		Top Lifestyle News
+Death toll from gas blowout rises to 198 ( 2003-12-27) +Death toll up to 20,000 in Iranian quake ( 2003-12-27) +Major Iran quake kills thousands in ancient city ( 2003-12-27) +High court interprets divorce ( 2003-12-27) +South China finds one suspect SARS case ( 2003-12-27)		+Swallowed diamond ring shows up as evidence ( 2003-12-27) +Ancient masterpieces at National Library ( 2003-12-27) +Shanghai showcasing perspectives on home life ( 2003-12-27) +Traditional Russian dance comes to Beijing ( 2003-12-27) +Michael Jackson defends himself in CBS interview ( 2003-12-27)