It’s a case that has North Yorkshire Police tied up in knots and the owners of a seaside town pub properly wound up.
A sculpture of an Egyptian-style mummy has been swiped from a watering hole in Whitby, North Yorkshire – and police have issued CCTV of the theft in a bid to track down two people they say can help reunite it with its owners.
A woman and man in black clothing were caught on camera eyeing up the seated prop – complete with a decaying, mummified face – at The Endeavour in Whitby during Whitby Goth Weekend.
When the male suggested taking the prop home with them, his female companion allegedly protested – but he grabbed it anyway and ran out the pub.
Police are now investigating the bizarre Halloween theft from the bar in Church Street, Whitby, at about 10pm on October 31.
The missing mummy, which has been swiped from a pub in Whitby, north Yorkshire
North Yorkshire Police want to speak to the man and woman pictured above, who they believe can help return the mummy to its rightful owners
The man was seen picking up the statue and carrying it out the pub, despite the protests of his female companion
Landlady Maria Limbert said it formed part of a display staff laid on for the biannual Whitby Goth Weekend.
As police released CCTV images of two people they were keen to speak to about the theft, the licensee said: ‘I want it back. It’s very frustrating.’
North Yorkshire Police said the man was seen on CCTV picking up the mummy and running out. A woman tried to get the man to bring it back, but he fled, the force said.
The man is white, aged 20-25, thin, with short blond hair and was wearing a black tuxedo.
The woman was similar age, of medium build, with long black hair and was wearing black clothing.
Ms Limbert said: ‘I had hoped the person who took it would bring it back, but that chance has long passed.
‘Businesses go to a lot of effort for Whitby Goth Weekend and Halloween. Whitby doesn’t do tacky.’
Due to the Goth Weekend running into Halloween, the mummy prop had been left out.
She bought two of the mummies five years ago from a couple who were retiring from the pub trade.
The Whitby Goth Weekend was inspired by the town’s links with Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula.
It began in 1994 as a one-off meeting of friends in The Elsinore pub, but is now held in April and October and attracts thousands of visitors.
Police said: ‘We want to speak to the two people caught on camera as they may have information that could help the investigation.
‘Anyone else with information about what happened is also urged to get in touch with North Yorkshire Police.’