A TikTok influencer has been arrested for allegedly stealing approximately $500 worth of merchandise from a Target store in Cape Coral, Florida last month. According to the Cape Coral Police Department, the incident occurred on October 30, 2024.
Witnesses at the store reported that a woman entered and selected several items, but when she reached the self-checkout, she bypassed the correct scanning process. Instead of scanning the actual prices, she used a false barcode to pay less.
The police were eventually able to identify the suspect thanks to a tip from the public. The woman, identified as 22-year-old Marlena Velez, is a popular TikTok influencer with nearly 300,000 followers. Authorities noted that Velez had previously posted a video wearing the same outfit she was seen in on security footage from the store during the theft.
In her TikTok video, she appeared to showcase her shopping day, including putting items in her car after visiting Target. This led officers to connect the dots and confirm her involvement in the theft.
Ultimately, the police arrested Velez and charged her with petit theft, which highlights both the misuse of social media and the challenges of retail theft in today’s society. The Cape Coral Police Department urges vigilance from the community to help combat such crimes and protect local businesses.
