Louisiana

3 arrests made in alleged plot to harm officers, police say

Associated Press
Published | Updated

People pray during Prayer Vigil organized by Myron Smothers at Memorial Tower on the Louisiana State University campus in Baton Rouge, La., Monday, July 11, 2016. (Scott Clause/The Daily Advertiser via AP) (The Associated Press)

A photo provided by the East Baton Rough Sheriff's Office shows Malik Bridgewater, 20. Bridgewater is one of three people arrested by police and accused of stealing several handguns as part of what authorities Tuesday, July 12, 2016, described as "substantial, credible threat" to harm police officers in the Baton Rouge, La., area. (East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office via AP) (The Associated Press)

A photo provided by the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office shows Antonio Thomas, 17. Thomas is one of three people arrested by police and accused of stealing several handguns as part of what authorities Tuesday, July 12, 2016, described as "substantial, credible threat" to harm police officers in the Baton Rouge, La., area. (East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office via AP) (The Associated Press)

Police say they've arrested three suspects accused of stealing several handguns as part of an alleged plot to harm police officers in the Baton Rouge area.

Baton Rouge police Chief Carl Dabadie said at a news conference Tuesday that authorities discovered the plot while responding to a burglary at a pawn shop. They arrested one suspect on the scene and then tracked down two others. Authorities called on the fourth suspect to turn himself in.

State Police Col. Mike Edmonson called it a "substantial credible threat" to police.

The arrests come after the deadly police shooting of a black man by two white police officers in the city and the killing of five police officers in Dallas last week.

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Associated Press writer Cain Burdeau contributed to this report.