Several area churches have filed complaints against a 37-year-old man who they say has been a repeatedly troublesome presence to parishioners.
Most recently, Madison police arrested Matthew Nickel early Sunday morning for trespassing Holy Redeemer Catholic Church’s property at 120 W. Johnson St.
Holy Redeemer has banned Nickel from the church for repeatedly asking church members for money, according to Madison Police Department Joel DeSpain.
Other area churches have taken legal action against Nickel. Covenant Presbyterian Church filed a restraining order against him in February and Blackhawk Evangelical Free Church Inc. filed a restraining order in February 2011.
Webster said before Covenant took out a restraining order, police were well aware of the situation and distributed flyers to local churches warning of Nickel’s aggressive panhandling.
Covenant’s financial secretary Steven Webster said while Covenant assists people who ask for help, Nickel tends to show up at odd times when no one is in the office.
Nickel most recently appeared at Covenant when only a young, female youth leader and youth group members were at the church, according to Webster. She gave him whatever money she had at the time to get him to leave.
“He’s a scary individual who doesn’t seem to know how to get help legitimately,” Webster said. “He harasses and intimidates people.”
