A 20-year-old man who was dressed as The Joker as he allegedly tried to steal Batman memorabilia has been arrested.

Spencer Taylor stunned cinema staff in Three Rivers, Michigan when he reportedly attempted to rip-down posters outside a screening of The Dark Knight.

At the time of his arrest , Taylor was wearing a purple suit and had made his face up with white foundation and red lipstick  to resemble the character played by the late Heath Ledger, who played the comic book villain in the blockbuster, before his untimely death earlier this year.

No laughing matter: Spencer Taylor had to pose for his mugshot both with his Joker makeup on (above) and without (below)

Police made Taylor pose for his mugshots both in and out off costume.

He has been charged with larceny and malicious destruction of property.

Ledger's turn as The Joker in The Dark Knight has earned the late Australian actor some of the best reviews of his career.

At the film's New York premiere earlier this month, Ledger's co-star Sir Michael Caine led the tributes to his performance.

Sir Michael, 75, who plays butler Alfred Pennyworth in the film, noted the 'intensity and ferocity of the performance'.

Villain: The late Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker in The Dark Knight has received a strong critical reaction

'His energy was astonishing, he’s certainly the best villain I’ve ever seen,' Caine added.

'He was a young actor and this is his moment. He did Brokeback Mountain which was fine and he never got the Oscar. He’s going to get the Oscar for this.'