PALM SPRINGS, CA — Officers with the Palm Springs Police Department (PSPD) arrested two individuals on January 28, 2026, following reports of a fraudulent solicitation scheme at the intersection of Ramon Road and San Luis Rey Drive. The suspects, both residents of Redlands, were observed entering the roadway to solicit donations from motorists.
According to department officials, the individuals were displaying photographs of a young child and claiming the child had died. They informed drivers that the collected funds would be used to cover funeral expenses. Upon investigation, PSPD officers determined that the child featured in the photographs is alive and the claims made by the solicitors were false.
The two suspects were taken into custody and face charges including violation of 532(a) PC for obtaining money by false pretenses and 182 PC for conspiracy to commit a crime. Authorities noted that these types of operations are often organized and frequently utilize images obtained from the internet or legitimate charitable organizations to solicit funds.
Law enforcement officials are advising the public to exercise caution when encountering individuals on medians or in roadways using emotional appeals or photographs to request cash. The department stated that such activities are often fraudulent and pose safety risks to both solicitors and drivers. Residents of Palm Springs are encouraged to report similar activity to the non-emergency dispatch line at 760-327-1441 to allow for officer verification.
