TikTok influencer Marlena Velez was arrested for shoplifting $500 worth of items from Target after bragging about it online.
Marlena Velez, a TikTok influencer known for her videos, has been arrested after allegedly shoplifting from a Target store in Cape Coral, Florida.
The incident has drawn attention not just because of the theft but also due to the way she promoted her actions on social media.
TikTok influencer arrested after showing off shoplifting $500 from Target to her followers
On October 30, 2024, Velez was accused of stealing over $500 worth of items from Target.
According to reports, she used a self-checkout machine to scan fake barcodes, which made the prices of the items appear lower.
The store’s loss prevention team spotted her on security cameras and alerted the police.
Velez, who has a significant following on TikTok, posted a video shortly after the alleged theft.
In the video, she seemed to boast about her shopping spree, which later became a key piece of evidence against her.
This video was seen by many of her 300,000 followers, raising questions about her judgment and behavior.
Police launched an investigation into the shoplifting incident.
After the incident, Target’s security team reviewed the footage and identified Velez.
They shared her image on social media, asking the public for help in identifying her.
An anonymous caller, who recognized her from TikTok, contacted the police and provided her Instagram handle.
This led to her quick identification and arrest.
Cape Coral police officers stated that Velez’s own social media presence played a significant role in her capture.
Officer Riley Carter remarked, “Social media gave us an unexpected lead, which expedited her identification and subsequent arrest.”
This case highlights how social media can sometimes backfire on influencers.
TikTok influencer Marlena Velez had prior legal issues before this
This is not Velez’s first encounter with the law.
In 2019, she faced charges of grand theft auto after allegedly stealing a friend’s car and crashing it.
The friend trusted her with the keys, but she abandoned the car after the crash.
This incident raised concerns about Velez’s sense of responsibility and accountability.
In July 2023, she was also caught shoplifting from a Walmart, where she took $63 worth of kitchen items.
She accepted a plea deal for that offense and received a sentence to complete a theft-prevention program along with six months of probation.
Interestingly, this probation just ended before her latest arrest.
Social media reactions
News of Velez’s arrest has sparked a range of reactions online.
Many people are shocked that someone with a popular social media presence engaged in such behavior.
Some viewers expressed disappointment, feeling that influencers should set a better example for their followers.
On the other hand, some supporters argue that everyone makes mistakes.
They believe that influencers, like anyone else, should learn from their errors.
However, the fact that Velez recorded her actions and shared them publicly has made it difficult for her to escape criticism.
So this person can boast about breaking laws and get busted but Elon and Trump can and get away with it hmm weird I’m sure it has nothing to do with money, one user said.
Criminals just can’t stop incriminating themselvs in social media, the second user wrote.
You just can’t fix stupid. It’s gonna shine through, the third user wrote.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes, another joked.
Awesome – I hope she posts her arrest too, someone said.
The influencer is now facing the consequences of her actions
Marlena Velez now faces petty theft charges.
If convicted, she could face legal consequences, including fines or community service.
The Cape Coral police have stated that despite her social media fame, she will not receive any special treatment under the law.
Officer Carter emphasized, “Influencers should face the same consequences as anyone else. Their public image doesn’t exempt them from the law.”