A 23-year-old man was arrested on allegations of groping a 13-year-old girl while she was walking to school in Brevard County.

Patrick Lee McAuliffe, of Melbourne, was arrested on charges of lewd and lascivious molestation.

According to West Melbourne police, a man touched the girl inappropriately on her chest and buttocks Thursday  as she walked along Wingate Boulevard.

West Melbourne police issued a "code red alert" to residents in the area and conducted a neighborhood search, leading to McAuliffe.

McAuliffe was also charged with driving on a suspended license.

He will be incarcerated in the Brevard County Jail on a $15,500 bond.