An accused jewel thief went to extraordinary lengths to conceal his loot after he was cornered by Good Samaritans in a Brisbane shopping centre last Friday afternoon.

David William Watts, 50, allegedly swallowed two diamond rings worth $59,000 after his escape attempt was foiled by shoppers at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre.

He now sits in a watchhouse cell waiting for nature to take its course so the evidence can be recovered.

Mr Watts allegedly posed as a customer at Crown Family Jewellers about 1.30pm on Friday.