Ransack (verb)

To search through (a place) thoroughly and often violently in order to find something.

Origin:

Old english rǣnsian, of germanic origin; related to dutch ronselen and german ränseln "plunder".

Examples:

1. The thieves ransacked the house looking for valuables.
2. The conquerors ransacked the city and carried off all its treasures.
3. The police ransacked the suspect's apartment.
4. The mob ransacked the shops and looted everything in sight.
5. The soldiers ransacked the village, destroying everything in their path.