Influencer arrested for flaunting stolen goods on TikTok
- Marlena Velez, a 22-year-old influencer, was arrested in Cape Coral, Florida.
- She was charged with petty theft for allegedly stealing over $500 worth of items from Target.
- Social media activity provided crucial evidence leading to her identification and arrest.
In Cape Coral, Florida, an influencer named Marlena Velez was arrested following accusations of theft. She allegedly stole products valued at over $500 from a local Target store on October 30, 2023. The theft involved her scanning a fake barcode during a self-checkout process to pay a lower price for the goods she had in her cart. Security camera footage verified her actions, leading to her identification. Law enforcement received an anonymous tip from an individual who recognized Velez after her image was shared on social media by the police department in an effort to locate her. The tipster was a follower of Velez's TikTok account, where she had been posting content related to her daily life, including a now-deleted video that featured her shopping at Target while wearing the same outfit she had on during the theft. Cape Coral Police Department representatives pointed out that social media played a crucial role in gathering evidence, making it easier to identify and apprehend Velez. Officer Riley Carter stated that Velez inadvertently incriminated herself by sharing a video of her activities on TikTok the same day of the alleged crime. Following her arrest, Velez was charged with one count of petty theft, a charge applicable when the value of stolen goods exceeds $100 but remains below $750. Court proceedings are set to commence on December 10, 2024, as the case garners attention due to the unusual circumstances surrounding the crime and the use of social media as a tool for law enforcement.