A Florida TikTok influencer was arrested for allegedly shoplifting from a Target store after a follower tipped off police, leading to her quick identification through social media posts.
On October 30, Marlena Velez, 22, entered a Target store in Cape Coral, according to ABC News.
She then selected 16 items including clothing and household goods, and reportedly used fake barcodes to steal them, ultimately walking out with $500.32 worth of merchandise.
Target security footage helped identify the suspect, and the Cape Coral Police Department turned to social media to seek public help in solving the case.
Cape Coral police posted her photo on its social media accounts, which led an anonymous caller to identify her as a TikTok influencer with nearly 300,000 followers.
Investigators linked Velez's TikTok posts to the theft, finding videos of her wearing the same clothes as the suspect seen on Target's security footage.
On November 6, Velez was arrested on charges of petit theft, and she was taken to the Lee County Jail.
Velez was released on a $150 bond and is scheduled for a court appearance on December 10, 2024. Velez's TikTok account remains active, though she has not publicly commented on the arrest.
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