LAS VEGAS -- Two parents have been arrested for leaving seven kids in a hot car.

It happened in a strip mall near East Tropicana Avenue and South Maryland Parkway during the height of the heat Tuesday.

“They were restless. They were running around the parking lot trying to get to their mom and dad. Cops had to pull them back,” said Jay Wahaab, a driver at the King and I restaurant. “I can barely stand this. I'm in and out of the car delivering food. I'm sweaty, drinking a lot of fluids and stuff like that. I would never leave a pet or anybody in the car.”

Police said the parents left their seven children, ages 1 to 10, and two dogs stuck inside a white van.

Witnesses said the man was in a mobile phone store, and the woman was shopping at a grocery store.

“She wasn’t very happy. Right away, the cops said, ‘Drop your stuff. Put your arms up.’ They patted her down and put the handcuffs on her right away,” said witness James Stone. “I'm dying in the heat as it is. I just can't imagine leaving kids in the car. It's so hot, even with the windows rolled down.”

Someone called police to alert them of the situation before any harm came to the children.

Valley father Alex Moran said he would have done the same and that he would have broken in to get the kids out.

“Go straight to jail. That's what they need. Never leave a kid in the car like that,” he said.

Police have not yet identified the two adults. They are being charged with child endangerment.

Metro said the children and the pets will be OK.