A 22-year-old TikTok influencer, boasting nearly 300,000 followers, found herself in legal trouble after allegedly stealing from a Target in Cape Coral, Florida. Marlena Velez was arrested Wednesday following accusations of scanning fake barcodes to underpay for items, according to the Cape Coral Police Department.
How the Incident Unfolded
Police responded to a theft report at the Target located at 1890 NE Pine Island Road. Employees claimed a woman entered the store on October 30, 2024, and selected various sale items. However, instead of scanning the legitimate barcodes at the self-checkout, she allegedly used fake barcodes to pay discounted prices.
The stolen items, which included miscellaneous household goods and clothing, totaled just over $500 in value, as per the police report.
Police Turn to Social Media for Help
Hoping to identify the suspect, Cape Coral Police posted security footage images on their Facebook and Instagram pages. An anonymous tip quickly brought attention to Velez, whose online persona as a TikTok influencer matched the suspect seen in the footage.
“An anonymous caller saw the post and gave the suspect’s possible identification as 22-year-old Marlena Velez, a TikTok influencer with nearly 300,000 followers,” authorities confirmed.
Social Media Clues Lead to Arrest
Officers located Velez’s TikTok account, which featured a video of her wearing the exact outfit and glasses seen in Target’s security footage.
“The video showed her picking out items inside Target and placing them in her car after exiting the store on the same day as the reported theft,” police stated.
Adding to the evidence, another video on Velez’s account allegedly showcased her unpacking the stolen goods.
Arrest and Charges
After confirming her identity, officers arrested Velez and booked her into the Lee County Jail on one count of petit theft.
Cape Coral Police released a statement indicating that their investigation, combined with tips from vigilant community members, led to the swift resolution of this case.
This incident underscores the power of social media in both influencing audiences and assisting law enforcement in solving crimes. While Velez’s 300,000 followers may have helped build her online fame, it was the very platform that reportedly contributed to her identification and arrest.
