Influencer arrested for fleecing Target with cunning checkout barcode hack and flaunting goods on TikTok
A glamorous influencer has been arrested for shoplifting from a Target after she flaunted the goods in a video on TikTok.
A glamorous influencer has been arrested for shoplifting from a Target after she flaunted the goods in a video on TikTok.
Marlena Velez, 22, who has nearly 300,000 followers on the video sharing app in which she posts videos about her life as a mom to two kids, is facing petty theft charges for allegedly stealing more than $500 from the Target store in Cape Coral, Florida on October 30.
Local police said they were called to the store last Wednesday for a report of a retail theft, and when officers arrived on the scene, loss prevention staff told them that an unknown female entered the store and selected a number of items.
Once she was at the self-checkout register, loss prevention staff said, the suspect scanned a fake barcode that listed cheaper prices, the Fort Myers News-Press reports.
In total, police said, Velez stole 16 items - including household goods and clothes - valued at $500.32.
As part of an ensuing investigation, police posted a photo of the suspect captured from surveillance footage, showing her wearing glasses, with long black hair, a tan shirt and tan pants.
Soon, the Cape Coral Police Department received an anonymous call from one of Velezs followers, identifying her as the suspect, police said.
The anonymous caller also provided officers with her Instagram handle, and from there, police were able to tack down her TikTok page.
Marlena Velez, 22, who has nearly 300,000 followers on TikTok, was arrested for shoplifting from a Target in Cape Coral, Florida last week
Her TikTok page included a get-ready-with-me video from the day of the alleged shoplifting incident, showing her in the same outfit and going to Target and TJ Maxx, Fox 4 Now reports.
She then documented herself picking out items inside the store and placing them in her car afterward in the since-deleted video.
She essentially incriminated herself, CCPD spokesperson Officer Riley Carter told the Express Tribune.
Velez was ultimately taken into custody on Thursday and charged with one count of petit theft more than $100, less than $750.
She also deactivated her TikTok account, but has since reactivated it and disabled the comments, according to Hollywood Unlocked.
Velezs stunning arrest later brought renewed attention to her prior criminal history.
Loss prevention officers at the store captured her on surveillance footage scanning a fake barcode for items during a Target run on October 30
She posted a video to TikTok showing her picking out items at the store that day
Velez was first arrested at the age of 17 in 2019 for grand theft auto when she stole her friend Amanda Santanas car and crashed it.
She had a class with me at Ida Baker High School and we clicked, Santana recounted to NBC 2.
She explained that one day, Velez asked her to sit in her car during class until lunchtime, and Santana - trusting her good friend- handed her the keys.
When Santana later returned to the parking lot, she said she could not find her vehicle.
I went to the parking lot and Im looking around for my car and I cant find it, so I actually, like, double-checked, looked on every side and I was like, "Where is my car?"
A few hours later, Santana said she learned her friend had crashed her vehicle into a ditch near a Dunkin Donuts.
She claims Velez never paid for any of the damages.
Its like she never felt remorse, Santana said.
Velez was taken into custody on Thursday and charged with one count of petit theft more than $100, less than $750
Velez was also arrested in July 2023 for shoplifting at a Walmart in Cape Coral.
A report from the store said she under-ringed items by scanning one item, then placing another item underneath the scanned item, according to NBC 2.
She wound up stealing $63 in kitchen items, and pleaded no contest to the charges last April.
Velez was sentenced to complete an anti-theft course and serve six months of probation, which ended last month.
Now, Santana says nobody should believe Velez can sustain the lifestyle she portrays on social media.
Shes been living recklessly, flaunting a lifestyle that doesnt match her actions, she said.
Officer Carter, though, said Velez will face justice for her alleged actions.
Influencers should face the same consequences as anyone else, the spokesperson said. Their public image doesnt exempt them from the law.
