Marlena Velez, a 22-year-old TikTok influencer, is going viral for allegedly showing off several clothing items she stole from a Target. Velez, who often records her everyday activities for her 300,000 followers, was arrested in Florida after police received a tip from someone who suspected that she may be the shoplifting suspect who was captured on surveillance camera, the Fort Myers News-Press reported.
Police then found Velez’s TikTok account and saw one of her getting ready videos on Oct. 30, which showed her wearing the same outfit and glasses she wore when she went to Target. Police said Velez filmed herself while picking out the items she stole from the store. The influencer went to the self-checkout register and scanned a fake barcode with cheaper prices, police said.
According to the Atlanta Black Star, police said Velez stole about $500 worth of household items and clothes from Target. She is now facing charges of petit theft.
“This TikTok influencer that I follow got arrested for stealing at Target, and apparently, she’s a serial offender lmao like I would’ve never guessed because her content is so cute/aesthetically pleasing. But… A reminder that social media is not real lol,” user @kelseyleal tweeted.
This TikTok influencer that I follow got arrested for stealing at target and apparently she’s a serial offender lmao like I would’ve never guessed because her content is so cute/aesthetically pleasing. But…. A reminder that social media is not real lol
— GG❤️ (@kelseyleal_) November 22, 2024
Velez was also arrested in 2019 for allegedly stealing her friend’s car, per the Atlanta BlackStar.
“I was going through nursing school, working my butt off, and she’s out there living her best life, splurging,” Velez’s former friend, Amanda Santana, said in an interview with NBC 2 after her arrest.
Santana said they became friends in high school, but she stopped trusting the TikToker she asked to sit in her car during class.
“I went to the parking lot, and I’m looking around for my car, and I can’t find it, so I actually, like double-checked, looked on every side, and I was like, where is my car?” Santana said.
Santana said the car was found totaled after Velez drove it into a ditch at a Dunkin Donuts. Velez was arrested again in July 2023 when police said she stole a total of $63 in kitchenware from a Walmart store. Police said the Florida woman was “in the self-checkout under ringing items by scanning one item, then placing another item underneath the scanned item.”
Velez later pleaded no contest and was placed on probation for six months. Santana said Velez, who recently completed her probation and an anti-theft course, still needs to be held accountable for her actions.
“There’s a restitution that she has not paid for,” Santana said. “And actually, not even a dime that she has paid for it.”
The post Marlena Velez, TikTok Influencer Arrested After Allegedly Stealing Items Target And Posting Them Online appeared first on Blavity.
