'Oompa Loompa' detained at mall

A man dressed as an Oompa Loompa character from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory has been detained at a mall.

Donnie Davis was promoting an upcoming show for comedian Jeff Beacher dressed in a green wig, brown shirt and white overalls when he was apprehended by security guards at the Westfield Broward Mall in Plantation, Florida, People reports.

The diminutive male was plugging a Saturday night performance at the region's Seminole Coconut Creek Casino, much to the annoyance of mall authorities.

"They got Donnie and cuffed him," Beacher said. "He and several other Oompa Loompas have been promoting the tour, and I guess security finally got fed up with them.

"It was ridiculous - one of the craziest and funniest things I have ever seen... Not to mention a little over the top! They are innocent Oompa Loompas!"

Hundreds of shoppers at the centre are reported to have laughed and screamed: "Let the Oompa Loompa go!"

Davis was held for several hours before security officials let him go without arrest.