1.   Before the gun-toting thugs took to the streets, tens of thousands attended rallies protesting the failed pyramid schemes.

2.   Emboldened by the mayhem and confusion, criminals loot stores, burglars prowl neighborhoods, thugs take over the streets.

3.   The police chief cannot remember the last time armed thugs took over one of the discotheques for a party.

4.   The thugs took his wallet and credit cards.

5.   Urban thugs take over whole city blocks, and we run to the suburbs.

6.   Thugs were taking advantage of the chaos to loot stores and restaurants.

7.   Witnesses said the thugs took him to a side street, beat him, forced him to his knees and shot him in the head.

8.   Police said young thugs took advantage of the tension and joined the protestors, attacking stores and telephone booths.