ALBANY – Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple says he knows what people in Albany have been going through, he understands the terror they feel in the streets, and he realizes what’s at stake.

“It’s starting already. It’s been going on since the weather broke,” Apple stated. “Here we have a young woman fighting for her life in the hospital as a result of these people with a depraved indifference, terrorizing the communities.”

The terror turned tragically tangible last weekend for 18-year old UAlbany freshman Alexa Kropf, who was struck by an illegal dirt bike on Hudson Avenue early Saturday, and remains at Albany medical Center mending from multiple body fractures and lying comatose following brain surgery.

“I don’t know what the draw is other than they want to bait police, get the police to chase them,” Apple said. “Regardless, at the end of the day, I still have a young woman fighting for her life because of the brazenness of basically criminals ripping apart our streets.”

Sheriff Apple’s crew rounded up ten illegal motorcycles on Thursday night, acknowledging that many other renegade riders got away. Twenty-one traffic tickets were issued. Two bikers have been charged with aggravated unlicensed operation.

Apple also points out it’s not just Albany residents who are tearing up their own city, he says many bikers are revving up and riding in from out of town.

Apple stresses the seized bikes represent just the tip of the iceberg of inner city terror that too many residents put up with on a daily basis. He says he’s determined to make sure the bike owners get the message: enough is enough.