An aggressive panhandler was arrested Monday evening, Sept. 21, after trying to arm himself with a portable sign outside of Whiskey Jack’s Saloon.

The suspect, 35-year-old Donnie Keele, blocked the paths of passersby and demanded money, a scuffle ensued when Whiskey Jack’s employees asked him to leave.

According to a Madison Police Department incident report:

Keele was blocking the paths of passersby while demanding money. He pushed one of the passersby who tried to avoid the him.

The suspect then began harassing people sitting at the outdoor seating area of Whiskey Jack’s. He yelled obscenities at the patrons and racial slurs at an African American man leaving the scene.

When asked to leave the area, the suspect armed himself with a portable sign and a Whiskey Jack’s employee was afraid he was going to harm someone. The bar manager took the suspect to the ground, getting scratched on the neck in the process.

The suspect was arrested for battery and disorderly conduct.