“Credible” Plot to Kill Baton Rouge Police Officers Foiled

Police have arrested and identified three young people who they say plotted to kill Baton Rouge cops using guns stolen from a pawn shop, officials said Tuesday.

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Police arrested 17-year-old Antonio Thomas, 20-year-old Malik Bridgewater, and a 13-year-old juvenile in connection with the burglary at the Baton Rouge pawn shop, CBS Baton Rouge affiliate WAFB reports. A fourth suspect could still be at large, according to the station.

Trashone Coats, 23, was charged with Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department. WAFB reports that Coats was released Tuesday.

Trashone Coats, Malik Bridgewater, and Antonio Thomas

{snip} WAFB reports that police believe the suspects broke in through the roof. Officials said eight handguns were stolen. Six guns have been recovered, and two are still missing, police said.

Seventeen-year-old Antonio Thomas was arrested at the shop after an “alert” Baton Rouge police officer responded, police said. The suspect was carrying a handgun and a BB pistol, Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie, Jr. said Tuesday.

That suspect told police the suspects were “looking for bullets” for the handguns in order to harm police officers in the Baton Rouge area, Dabadie said.

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One of the suspects allegedly told police that the planned attack was in response to the death of Alton Sterling, who was shot and killed by police on July 5, WAFB reports.

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