MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (AP) - Police say they've got the US$3,200 (S$3,957) engagement ring a US man allegedly swallowed during an attempted jewelry store theft.

Authorities charged 52-year-old Ronald Perley with theft and falsifying physical evidence after they say X-rays showed the 14-karat white-gold ring with princess-cut diamonds inside him.

WMUR-TV reports that police in New Hampshire had recovered the ring as of Saturday.

Perley allegedly went into a shop on Thursday asking about engagement rings. Workers said he grabbed a ring, then swallowed it after being confronted.

Police say surveillance footage shows Perley taking the ring and putting his hand to his mouth.

Perley was being held on US$50,000 bail. It's not clear if he has an attorney.