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  • December 12, 2024
US TikTok influencer arrested after allegedly documenting stolen items

US TikTok influencer arrested after allegedly documenting stolen items

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — A Florida woman and TikTok influencer who allegedly shoplifted about $500 worth of items from Target and posted her shopping habits on social media — where she has hundreds of thousands of followers — has been arrested, authorities said.

Marlena Velez, 22, stole the items by scanning fake barcodes at the self-checkout of a Target in Cape Coral, Florida, to cheapen the items, Cape Coral police said in a news release.

Velez has more than 360,000 followers on TikTok, where she posts content about her life every day.

Cape Coral police responded to a call on November 20 at Target for a theft that occurred on October 30. According to the press release, Target’s security cameras showed Velez using the fake barcodes to steal 16 items of miscellaneous household goods and clothing valued at $500.32.

Police received an anonymous tip via Instagram after posting a photo of Velez on social media, asking the public for clues; she was unidentified at the time and was wearing a tan shirt, tan pants and glasses. The tipster gave authorities her name, birthday and Instagram information, the agency said.

The agency found Velez’s TikTok account, which contained an Oct. 30 post in which she was getting ready to go to Target and wearing the same outfit seen in Target’s security video. Velez also filmed herself choosing the items in the store and then taking them home.

“Everything was documented,” department spokeswoman Mercedes Phillips said in a video on the department’s Facebook account. It appears the video has been removed.

Velez was arrested and charged with petit larceny, the news release said.

Fast Company reported that Velez was released on $150 bail and was scheduled to appear in court on December 10. THE NEW YORK TIMES