Hours after two 14-year-olds were arrested in Baltimore City last week, taken to juvenile booking and placed on an ankle monitoring, the teens were rearrested in connection with several thefts and robberies. The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of new programming at the Department of Juvenile Services.

On Oct. 1, the Department of Juvenile Services, led by Secretary Vincent Schiraldi, announced a policy overhaul when it comes to monitoring and detaining juveniles. Now, whenever a young person is accused of committing a violent felony, and they are not detained, the juvenile will be placed on electronic monitoring. If a juvenile already wearing an ankle monitor is accused of committing another violent felony, they will be detained.

While the change in policy was welcomed by some, including local leaders like Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott and Gov. Wes Moore, others say they are fed up with Secretary Schiraldi’s leadership of the department.

“Looking at this track record, looking at what he’s all about, I think Vinny Schiraldi just does not get the public safety aspect of his agency,” said city resident Arch McKown.

McKown’s frustration seemed to reach a boiling point following the now-viral video showing a brutal attack of a 66-year-old man in the Butchers Hill neighborhood near Patterson Park. The man, Bernie, spoke with FOX45 News about his experience, but didn’t want to share his last name. Bernie said he was approached by a group of teens and demanded he turn over his belongings. The video goes on to show a suspect stomping on Bernie’s head, as he lays face-down in the middle of the street. He was knocked unconscious, Bernie said.

“I actually didn’t hear anything. They were very, very quiet. Almost like they snuck up on me. But I could feel their presence. They didn’t say anything but when I saw them, they had ski masks on,” Bernie recalled.

“In my mind, I knew what was coming next, so I started to run, and they started to chase me. As I was running, I was yelling ‘help, help I’m being robbed.’ He pulled the gun out and he stuck the gun in my face, and I said, ‘what do you want?’ He said, ‘I want everything,’” Bernie said.

An 18-year-old suspect, Montaz Bailey, was arrested and charged as an adult with attempted first-degree murder, along with other charges. Originally, a 15-year-old suspect was arrested and brought to the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center and released to his guardian. Later, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates announced the 15-year-old suspect would face first-degree murder charges as an adult as well.

“In Baltimore City, if you’re going to stomp on individuals’ heads, you can expect to get charged with attempted murder,” Bates said. “We think that type of behavior is heinous, it’s vicious, it’s violent, and we will not stand for that. We will hold individuals accountable that do that to the residents and citizens.”

A handgun was recovered from the two suspects, and both have prior arrests, according to the Baltimore Police Department.

A petition was later circulating calling on Gov. Moore to replace Secretary Schiraldi. At last check, the petition had more than 2,000 signatures.

“The number of crimes committed by juveniles and the severity of the crimes committed by juveniles in our area since Secretary Schiraldi accepted the position of Secretary of Juvenile Services from Maryland Governor Wes Moore is unprecedented,” the petition explained.

When asked if he still has confidence in Secretary Schiraldi, Gov. Moore has yet to provide a clear answer.

“We believe we have to continue coordinating and continue working together to make the system work better. We know we have work to do,” Gov. Moore said. “We have to make sure people are accountable for their actions and we plan on working with anybody who wants to be a serious partner in this work.”

FOX45 News has also repeatedly sent follow-up questions to Gov. Moore’s office, trying to get a direct answer regarding Secretary Schiraldi. Monday, new questions were sent to Gov. Moore’s office, asking whether he believes the current polices at DJS are enough to deter future criminal behavior, and whether he is considering replacing Secretary Schiraldi. Those questions went unanswered.

Have a news tip? Contact Mikenzie Frost at mbfrost@sbgtv.com or x.com/MikenzieFrost.