TikTok Influencer Charged in Target Theft

Marlena Velez, a 22-year-old TikTok influencer with nearly 300,000 followers, was arrested for allegedly stealing over $500 worth of items from a Target store in Cape Coral, Florida. On October 30, 2024, she reportedly used fake barcodes to lower the prices of 16 household goods and clothing items at the self-checkout. The Cape Coral Police Department identified her after sharing her image on social media, which led to an anonymous tip providing her name and social media handles. Officers discovered a TikTok video where she showcased her shopping trip in the same outfit as seen in surveillance footage. Velez has been charged with petit theft and is currently detained in Lee County Jail as the investigation continues.