Influencer’s TikTok Goes Viral After Shocking Encounter with Target Thief – Lands Them in Trouble

A well-known influencer has been arrested for stealing a cart full of items from Target after her TikTok video was linked to CCTV footage of the theft.

By Sheenu Gupta On Nov 25, 2024 Share with new partner:

Marlena Velez, a 22-year-old influencer, has been charged with theft after she allegedly shared a “get ready with me” video on social media, in which she wore the same outfit seen in CCTV footage from a Target store, where she is accused of committing the crime.

Velez is said to have used counterfeit barcodes to steal 16 items, worth about $765, from the store. The surveillance video, taken at a Target location in Florida, shows a woman with dark hair and glasses, dressed in a tan shirt and matching pants, leaving the store with a shopping cart filled with the stolen goods.

Authorities connected the footage from the store’s security cameras to Velez’s TikTok video, ultimately leading to her arrest for the alleged theft.

After the local police shared a photo of the suspect on social media, the investigation took a key turn when it led them to Ms. Velez’s TikTok account. In the video, she can be seen heading to Target, wearing the same outfit and glasses as the woman caught on the store’s CCTV during the theft. Police connected the video to the security footage, which helped them confirm her involvement in the crime.

The influencer, who boasts a substantial following of over 346,000 on social media, was arrested and later charged with one count of petty theft. A police officer from Cape Coral explained that law enforcement often seeks assistance from the public in identifying suspects, as the community may have valuable insights—such as recognizing someone who could be a neighbor or a former classmate. In this particular case, the investigation was prompted when Target’s loss prevention team contacted the police on October 30.

They reported that an unidentified woman had left the store with several items of homeware and clothing, which were purchased using fake barcodes, leading to suspicions of fraud and prompting a closer look at the incident.

“We actually had one person reach out on Instagram who didn’t want to be identified, but provided Ms Velez’s full name, date of birth and her social media handle,” the office continued.

“From there we were able to look up her social media and we even found on TikTok that she posted a video that day of herself going to Target, ‘buying’ these items and then taking them home with her.

“Everything was carefully documented, including the outfit she was wearing, and all of it matched the description in the photo we used for the identification attempt,” authorities explained. Marlena Velez was arrested on November 21 and, after being processed, was released from custody just hours later after posting a cash bond of $150 (approximately $230). Her arrest has captured significant public attention, with many noticing a dramatic increase in her social media following—she gained nearly 50,000 new followers within just a few hours of the news breaking.