The figure of a woman has been ripped from its pride of place at the bow of a Whangarei brewery upsetting the owners and patrons.
The early morning theft from Brauhaus Frings on Dent St in Whangarei has been described by the bar staff as "disrespectful" and "selfish".
Security camera footage show a group taking the figure, known as Virginia, at 3.48am on Sunday. Bar manager Kayla Neilson said the figure had adorned the exterior of the pub on the bow of a ship shaped around the outside drinking area for two years after the owner bought her at a local building supply company.
The fibreglass figure had been bolted to the wooden bow and chains also held her in place. However, the thieves ripped Virginia off leaving just her feet behind. "She was part of the place and plenty of foreign visitors would come and have their photo taken with her," Miss Neilsen said. Police are looking at camera footage.
