In a remarkable twist of digital-age crime and consequences, a social media influencer with hundreds of thousands of followers was arrested after allegedly documenting her own shoplifting spree on TikTok.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of how social media’s allure can lead to self-incriminating behavior.
Marlena Velez, 22, found herself in handcuffs on Nov. 21 when Cape Coral Police Department officers arrested her for allegedly stealing over $500 worth of merchandise from a local Target store.
The case gained attention not for the theft itself, but for the unusual way the suspect was identified.
The investigation began when Target’s Loss Prevention team reported a sophisticated scheme carried out on Oct. 30, 2024.
Instead of simply concealing items, the perpetrator allegedly manipulated the self-checkout system by scanning false barcodes that displayed lower prices for merchandise.
“Once at the self-checkout register, the female suspect did not scan the items’ barcodes, instead scanning a false barcode with cheaper prices,” CCPD said.
The stolen goods included household items and clothing, with the total value reaching $500.32.
In their initial attempt to identify the suspect, law enforcement took the traditional route of posting surveillance images to their social media accounts.
An anonymous tip soon provided them with Velez’s name and Instagram handle, but the real breakthrough came from an unexpected source – the suspect’s own TikTok account.
“She essentially incriminated herself,” said CCPD spokesperson Riley Carter to the Express Tribune.
Investigators discovered videos on Velez’s TikTok account showing her preparing for the Target trip, wearing the same outfit and glasses seen in surveillance footage.
The social media star, who boasts more than 300,000 followers, went as far as to document herself selecting items inside the store and later loading them into her car.
People magazine reported that among the items allegedly stolen were a Stanley mug, a cosmetics bag and a milk-and-cookies set, along with multiple shopping bags full of merchandise.
The incriminating videos have since been removed from Velez’s social media accounts.
“Marlena documents herself picking out items inside the store and placing them in her car after exiting the store,” CCPD reported.
Following her arrest, Velez was booked into the Lee County Jail on one count of petit theft.
She was released on bond shortly afterward.
The case highlights an increasingly common phenomenon where social media’s demand for content intersects with criminal behavior.
“Social media gave us an unexpected lead, which expedited her identification and subsequent arrest,” Carter noted, underlining how digital footprints can quickly lead to real-world consequences.
Earlier this year, a reported glitch at Chase Bank set social media ablaze, prompting a wave of customers to attempt large withdrawals from their accounts without sufficient funds.
The incident quickly went viral, and has since left many facing severe financial consequences and potential legal ramifications, especially considering the crimes were openly posted online.
Resist the Mainstream previously reported that the apparent malfunction enabled immediate access to funds, bypassing the typical multi-day verification process for check deposits.
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Author: Jordyn M.
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