Elmo arrested? That was the scene as three impersonators were busted last week for allegedly harassing tourists for tips after posing for pictures on Hollywood Boulevard. One of those taken into custody happened to be the furry resident of Sesame Street.

The other two booked were a man dressed as Mr. Incredible and another dressed as the villain from the horror movie, "Scream."

Police say the impersonators allege they were taken into custody at gunpoint, handcuffed and paraded on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in front of on looking tourists and other fellow impersonators.

"With all of the crime in Los Angeles they pick on us?" says Elmo impersonator Donn Harper, 45, who can make up to $400 a day in tips.

In the past, tourists have complained of being harassed by the characters after not tipping for photos taken in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Kodak Theater.

Vendors say some of the masked impersonators are scaring tourists.

Los Angeles Police Officer Michael Shea, says police warned impersonators last month that solicitation and harassment laws would begin to be strictly enforced.

Officers performed the sting operation posing as French tourists who did not understand English or the concept of tipping.

"Make no mistake about it - I wanted the characters to know what we're doing," says Shea.