Missouri police release video to ID Ferguson looters

FERGUSON, Mo. (WLS) -- Nearly 200 thieves were caught in the act looting a convenience store during the rioting that followed the grand jury decision in Ferguson, Mo., not to indict Darren Wilson in the killing of Michael Brown. Now police hope the stunning video will result in looters being caught and prosecuted.

Shortly after the grand jury decided not to indict in the Michael Brown case, there was a free-for-all at dozens of stores and gas stations in and around Ferguson. Almost two months since the looting and arson fires, authorities in St. Louis County have released a video taken from a store security camera showing more than 180 people raiding and ransacking a convenience store.

During the disturbances that followed the announcement of the grand jury's decision, at Dellwood Market just outside Ferguson, as seen in a five minute video clip provided by police, a group of would-be looters tried desperately to get inside the store's front door. Using their fists and then a crow bar, they managed to barrel through an adjacent opening that had been boarded up to keep looters out.

In short order, dozens of looters came into the store, grabbing liquor, food and box loads of other items before running out. It lasted several minutes until the store was stripped bare.

Police are asking local residents for the names of those they recognize in this video so they can be charged.

Authorities say the owner of the small, family owned business was at home when his store was attacked, watching a feed of this very video.

WATCH the security video on YouTube