A 22-year-old TikTok influencer with nearly 300,000 followers has been arrested after allegedly stealing from Target using fake barcodes and filming herself before the theft. The Cape Coral Police Department in Florida responded to a retail theft incident at a Target store on October 30, 2024, at 1890 NE Pine Island Road. According to the police statement, the suspect selected items from the store and, at the self-checkout, scanned fake barcodes with lower prices, stealing 16 items worth a total of $500.32.
Target’s loss prevention team flagged the incident, and the Cape Coral Police Department posted the suspect’s image on their social media platforms to request help identifying her. An anonymous tip led the police to Marlena Velez after a caller recognized her from the social media post and provided her TikTok profile. On her account, Velez documented her day, including selecting items at the store while wearing the same clothes and glasses as seen in the security footage.
Following this discovery, Velez was arrested and charged with petit theft for stealing less than $750. She was taken to the Lee County Jail, and the investigation remains ongoing.
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