Well, here’s a story straight out of the modern playbook of what not to do on social media.
TikTok influencer Marlena Velez, 22, is making headlines for all the wrong reasons after allegedly shoplifting from a Target in Cape Coral, Florida—not once, but twice. To add an extra layer of absurdity, Velez reportedly documented her first alleged theft on TikTok, giving law enforcement a front-row seat to her activities.
The Cape Coral Police Department (CCPD) claims Velez used a self-checkout scam to swipe $225 worth of merchandise, including baby clothes and household goods, during her most recent visit to Target on November 20. Security footage allegedly shows her scanning a cheaper barcode instead of the actual tags on higher-priced items. She reportedly brought along an adult male and two children, adding another level of concern to the incident.
This wasn’t her first run-in with the same Target. According to the CCPD, Velez pulled off a similar stunt on October 30, stealing $500 worth of goods. In both cases, her alleged modus operandi was remarkably similar, and her social media activity helped seal her fate.
Police identified Velez partly through an anonymous tip pointing to her Instagram and TikTok accounts. On her TikTok, Velez had apparently recorded herself on October 30 wearing the same outfit and glasses seen in security footage. Her video showed her shopping at Target, selecting items, and placing them in her car—a perfect timeline of events for investigators.
Even during the November 20 incident, officers claim they matched her phone’s wallpaper from security footage with an image posted to her Instagram. These digital breadcrumbs ultimately led to her arrest on November 20.
Despite—or perhaps because of—the controversy, Velez’s TikTok following has exploded. According to CCPD Public Information Officer Mercedes Simonds, her account gained 100,000 followers after news of the theft investigation broke. As of now, Velez’s TikTok account is private, but she still boasts over 420,000 followers.
In a statement shared on her TikTok, Velez acknowledged the situation but avoided going into detail, citing ongoing court proceedings. “While there will be a time to discuss my wrongdoings, now is not that moment,” she said.
Velez faces petit theft charges for both incidents and was briefly detained before being released the following day. While the legal consequences are still playing out, this case highlights a broader phenomenon: the risky interplay between social media fame and real-world accountability.
