BOSTON -- Police said they arrested a disgruntled Washington state man early Thursday after he allegedly spray-painted graffiti on a courthouse in Brockton.

Officials said Andrew Steele, 45, of Tacoma, Wash., was arrested after he became angry over a probate court decision and used red spray paint to write "Steele Boys Rights Denide (sic)" several times on the Brockton District Court at 215 Main St.

Witnesses called police at about 2 a.m. to report a man vandalizing the courthouse. The responding officer caught Steele with a can of spray paint in his hand, officials said.

"Officers found him hiding behind one of columns out there. He stated he used three cans of red spray paint -- all were recovered at the scene. The defendant's hands were also red with spray paint on them," Assistant District Attorney Daniel Alexander said.

Steele told police he painted the message as "a protest" because he wanted his children to visit him in Washington, but a probate court judge denied the request.

Steele was arraigned in the same court on charges of tagging, destruction over $250 and malicious damage. Steele was ordered held in lieu of $50,000 cash bail or $500,000 surety. He will return to court on Jan. 6.

It will cost an estimated $2,800 to fix the damage, officials said. Power-washing crews were brought in to clean off the paint on Thursday.