Of 163 arrests since shooting, only 7 from Ferguson

FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) — Unrest in Ferguson since Michael Brown's death has resulted in 163 arrests in the area where protesters have gathered nightly, and although the majority of those arrested are Missourians just seven live in the St. Louis suburb where the shooting occurred, authorities said today.

St. Louis County spokeswoman Candace Jarrett provided the arrest list, the crimes they are charged with, and their addresses and years of birth. Many are from communities near Ferguson, but just seven are from Ferguson, where a white police officer shot the black 18-year-old on Aug. 9.

The shooting has spurred protests, along with looting and rioting. Police have come under gunfire and been targeted with Molotov cocktails and bricks. They've also been accused of instances of heavy-handedness and unnecessary arrests, including some journalists.

Most of the arrests have been shortly before and after midnight. The tally shows that 128 people have been cited for failure to disperse, 21 for burglary-related charges, four for assaulting police officers. Others were charged with crimes such as trespassing, peace disturbance and destruction of private property.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson, in charge of securing Ferguson, said just six people were arrested at protests Wednesday night, compared to 47 the previous night, providing hope among law-enforcement leaders that tensions may be beginning to ease.