Investigators say the suspects, both from Redlands, were playing on the emotions of drivers who pulled up to the intersection of Ramon Road and San Luis Rey Drive last week. They later determined that the photo of the young child that they were showing drivers is actually alive.
The suspects were arrested for obtaining money by false pretenses and conspiracy to commit a crime.
In additional to the scam, police say the behavior in the the middle of the intersection was just plain unsafe. The Palm Springs Police Department is warning residents to be on alert for similar scams.