Marlena Velez, a 22-year-old TikTok influencer with nearly 300,000 followers, was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly committing theft at a Target store in Cape Coral, Florida.
According to the Cape Coral Police Department (CCPD), Velez entered the store on October 30, selecting various household goods and clothing. At the self-checkout, she reportedly scanned a false barcode for a lower price, stealing 16 items valued at $500.32.
Velez was identified through social media after the CCPD posted a description of the suspect on their platforms. An anonymous tipster provided Velez’s social media handle, leading police to discover a TikTok video where she showed herself in the same outfit described in the report and mentioned heading to Target.
In the video, Velez was seen picking out items in the store and later placing them in her car.
Velez was arrested and charged with petit theft, stealing goods worth between $100 and $750. She was released from Lee County Jail on Thursday after posting bond.
