Two Redlands residents have been arrested on suspicion of scamming Palm Springs motorists by falsely soliciting money for a child’s funeral, authorities said Friday.
Sebastian Brown and Adrian Martinez were arrested on suspicion of obtaining money by false pretenses and conspiracy to commit a crime, according to the Palm Springs Police Department.
Bail information was not immediately available.
Officers responded Wednesday to reports of individuals approaching drivers at the intersection of Ramon Road and San Luis Rey Drive, claiming they needed money to pay funeral expenses for a child, police said.
Following an investigation, officers determined the claims about the child’s death were false, police said.
“This behavior is unsafe and many of these operations are fraudulent,” the department said in a statement.
Police advised residents to contact the department’s non-emergency line at 760-327-1141 if they encounter similar situations.