Soon after a tornado ripped through North Minneapolis on Sunday afternoon, an estimated 20 looters ripped off Broadway Liquor Outlet.

The high winds that downed trees and tore off roofs in the area also smashed the glass storefront of the liquor store at 2201 W. Broadway Ave., which was closed.

The looters stole liquor, cigarettes and cash, said owner Dean Rose. The store had plywood boards nailed to its exterior by 7:30 p.m., but broken glass and cases of beer could be seen scattered on the floor inside. Rose said Sunday night he didn’t know the extent of the theft.

Minneapolis Police on Sunday night could not confirm reports of looting.

“It’s devastating,” said Rose, the third generation of his family to run the store. “It puts us out of business.”

“It’s an unfortunate disaster,” he said. “The whole community has been hit hard.”

Asia Harris, 26, of Minneapolis said she saw the looters as the storm struck. Debris hit the Honda Accord she was driving, but she took notice of the thefts.

“Once it hit, they started taking things out,” she said.