Lawmakers expressed little surprise at the repeated arrest of a 15-year-old accused of stealing seven cars in seven months.

"It's pretty consistent with what we've been hearing," said Sen. Chris West.

The teenager, who was arrested last Thursday along with five others in Northeast Baltimore, has a history with the criminal courts. Sources confirmed he was arrested for vehicle theft in June, July, September, October, December, and mid-January, each time being released. Last week's arrest marked his seventh alleged car theft in as many months.

"It's extremely problematic and it's got to be frustrating for crime victims," said Sgt. Betsy Smith, spokeswoman with the National Police Association.

Lawmakers recently questioned Juvenile Services Secretary Vincent Schiraldi about the number of teenage repeat offenders. The discussion turned into a debate over the definition of "recidivism."

"If someone did something bad and does it another time, most people would think yes, that person has recidivated," a senator said.

Schiraldi responded, "Done it another time is an interesting phrase... and I'm not a lawyer and I don't mean to parse... but when do we define that someone has done something?"

Sen. Chris West criticized the Department of Juvenile Services, saying there is little evidence that the agency tracks repeat offenders or the success of state services offered to them. He added that lawmakers are losing confidence in the agency.

"So long as the Governor is satisfied with the job this secretary is doing, there's nothing the General Assembly can do about it," West said.