THIEVES gave new meaning to the expressed "armed robbery" when they struck at an Old Town pub last weekend.

Andy Marcer, landlord of the Beehive on Prospect Hill, was shocked when he discovered the right arm had been taken from popular mannequin Maxine during a busy Friday night.

Andy said he was now on the hunt for the one-armed bandit.

“We’re asking for the public to lend a hand in helping us catch the perpetrator,” he said.

“If I was to go out on a limb, the body of evidence suggests this is an armless prank that went wrong. I’m sure if everyone lends a hand we’ll be able to finger the suspect."

Andy said quirky blond-wigged Maxine regularly attracts attention on a night out.

"People always want their photos taken with her, and we've found cigarettes and makeup put on her before but very rarely does something like this happen," he said.

In a post, blogger Drunken Bunny described witnessing the theft.

“I mistake this mannequin for a real person at some point even as I remind myself before entering that she is sitting there waiting for me. Apparently, so did these guys as they had earlier escorted the lady to the apex room for photos.

“One guy hurried past me. A second guy, in a red t-shirt, skipped past a few moments later. I noticed him specifically because his near shoulder appeared to protrude unnaturally forward. I was just about to point this out when someone yelled up to the bartender, 'he just stole her arm'.

“The bar manager ran outside after them but they were already gone. The first one must’ve pulled the motor around so they could make their getaway."

This isn’t the first time pranksters have targeted Maxine. In 2014, both of her arms were stolen and later returned to the pub after being discovered in unusual circumstances.

“One arm had been buried in a garden with just the hand sticking up which concerned the neighbours to say the least when they looked over the fence, but we were just relieved to have it back,” said Andy.

Asked why pub-goers feel the need to rob Maxine of her limbs, Andy said: “People do funny things when they have a few beers in them. I’m sure we’ll get the arm back at some point.

“I think the police have better things to do with their time than investigate this. I will be looking for a new arm for her though - although god knows where I will find that - as she’s an important part of the pub.”