A woman in San Diego said that she saw a pregnant woman begging for money and then drive off laughing in a Mercedes-Benz.
Melissa Smith said that she sees the woman every weekend out of a s shopping center. She said they are sometimes joined by a man.
"I felt bad, there's a pregnant lady with a little boy and is down on her luck," said Smith "The dad comes out on the weekends and stands with them."
Smith said she was getting gas when she saw the couple at the usual spot.
"They were leaving and I noticed they got into a Mercedes Benz, I thought wow - a Mercedes Benz," Smith said.
Smith shook her head and got in her car to drive away.
"Lo and beyond, they were in front of us," Smith said. "And here they are counting money, laughing, their little boy is not in a car seat or seat belt. He's all the way in the front seat with them."
Smith watched them drive to another plaza on Bonita Road.
"She sits there with the sign," Smith said. "He goes and parks the Mercedes. And they put up the sign and not less than five minutes, here she is getting money from all these people."
She took pictures of the woman and little boy. She said the woman saw her.
"Next thing I know, she picks up this big boulder about this big, goes over her head. I don't know if pregnant people can do that? But it was pretty big over her head and coming at me with this rock," Smith said.
Another witness saw what was happening and called 911.
"She grabs her little boy and takes off through the middle of the parking lot," Smith said.
Police said the couple had left when they responded.
Homeless advocates recommend not giving money directly to people. Instead, they say it's better to donate money, gently used clothes or volunteer time to reputable charity organizations, such as thrift shops, shelters or soup kitchens.
Smith said she wants people to know about this couple before they find a new place to panhandle with their son in tow.
"I feel bad, don't give these people money, they don't need it, they're driving a Benz," she said.
