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.

The chief said the first suspect arrested told police that "the reason the burglary was being done was to harm police officers".

The burglar had one handgun and one BB gun in his possession that had been stolen from the pawn shop, Dabadie said. Authorities called on the fourth suspect to turn himself in.

Detectives have arrested two other suspects in the case, including a 13-year-old boy.

The capital city's police chief said Tuesday the threat against officers was credible.

"So much of the tensions between police departments and minority communities that they serve is because we ask the police to do too much and we ask too little of ourselves".

The Cash America Pawn Shop in the 3300 block of Government Street was robbed Saturday night and 17-year-old Antonio Thomas was apprehended at the scene.

Another suspect in the burglary, 20-year-old Malik Bridgewater, was arrested later Saturday at his home at 2050 Hemlock St., police said.

The lawsuit describes the protests as peaceful and blames law enforcement for escalating the situation. "What you saw in the (law enforcement) response is because of the very real and viable threats against law enforcement".

Authorities arrested about 200 protesters over a three-day period, often taking to the streets in riot gear or riding in military-style vehicles.

Eight handguns were stolen from the pawnshop, six of which have been recovered, Debadie said. "That was a sacrifice to show everyone what has been going on in life", Cameron said outside the convenience store where his father was shot and killed.

After almost a week of protests over the killing of Alton Sterling, Baton Rouge officers, state police and other law enforcement agencies have received criticism for their methods of dealing with demonstrators.

(East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office via AP).

Police said surveillance video showed the suspects using a ladder to climb the roof of the pawn shop. "We have been questioned repeatedly over the last several days about our show of force and why we have the tactics that we have".

New Orleans residents account for nearly half of the 50 people who were arrested Sunday in Baton Rouge at protests over deadly police shootings. "Yet Alton Sterling is on the long list of Black people killed needlessly by our nation's police, and protests in his honor have turned into circuses of violence where the First Amendment is tossed aside", said ACLU of Louisiana Executive Director Marjorie Esman.

He referenced the shootings of police officers during a protest in Dallas on Thursday and said police officers need to be able to defend themselves.

In and around Baton Rouge, heavily armed police clad in riot gear have been seen clearing the crowds of demonstrators. The reports claim that the police lunged and grabbed at protesters, throwing them down to the ground.

Police have confiscated three rifles, three shotguns and two pistols during protests, Coppola said earlier in an email.

In a statement Monday, Landry said he won't have access to details of the federal investigation until it's completed and a decision has been made on potential federal charges.