Melissa Smith, from San Diego, witnessed the expectant mother and her child begging outside Eastlake Village Center every weekend for almost two weeks.
Ms. Smith said that each time, they would hold a sign reading, 'Please help', and would receive money from dozens of shoppers.
But this week, Ms Smith was shocked when she saw the pair leave their panhandling spot and meet up with the woman's boyfriend before driving away in a dark-colored Mercedes.
"They grabbed their little boy and got into a Mercedes-Benz," she said. "They were counting money and laughing. Their little boy is not even in a car seat, he is in the front seat with them."
Ms Smith watched the car turn into a nearby shopping plaza on Bonita Road, before the pregnant woman got out, grabbed the sign and started begging again.
Astonishingly, Ms Smith started taking more photos of the woman, prompting her to start shouting at her.
Police said the trio have not been reported by anyone else since Ms Smith's encounter. It is believed that they have not been detained nor questioned by officers. Source