A nightmare on Labour Day for pub

Where's Freddy? The Homestead Tavern and RSA are appealing for the return of Freddy Krueger, of Nightmare on Elm St fame, after he was kidnapped at Labour weekend. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Kerikeri police and two pubs full of angry patrons are hunting for a kidnapper who struck during Labour weekend.

They are also scouring the town for the victim, who answers to the name Freddy and was last seen wearing a brown Fedora hat, red-and-black striped sweatshirt and distinctive, razor-sharp metal claws on one hand. Adding to the mystery, the kidnappers only took Freddy's top half.

His legs are still attached to a trailer display parked outside the Homestead Tavern to promote the Big Balls fishing competition, contested by patrons of the Kerikeri RSA and the Homestead Tavern every Labour Weekend for the past 18 years.

As well as details of dates and prizes, the display features a life-size soldier complete with bloodied bandages (representing the RSA) and a mannequin dressed as Freddy Krueger (from the horror movie Nightmare on Elm St, representing the "bad boys" at the Homestead).

Homestead publican Ross Lynch urged whoever stole Freddy on Saturday night to return him or face the wrath of two pubs full of angry patrons.

RSA regular Adrian Manning had put a lot of time, effort and expense into building the display, even importing the latex mask from the US.

Mr Lynch said: "Whoever it is, you're pinching off the RSA. These are people who fought for you, you miserable bastards."

He also urged anyone who had information on Freddy's whereabouts to call Kerikeri police on (09) 407 9211.

Mr Manning landed the biggest snapper of the contest (12.77kg), helping the RSA to their second Big Balls win in a row, with a top 10 average weight of about 6.6kg compared with Homestead's 5.2kg. This year, 53 people took part.

If Freddy cannot be found, he is likely to be replaced by Darth Vader next year.