The TikToker was recognized by considered one of her 300k+ followers after sharing a get-ready-with-me video placing on the identical outfit seen later that day in safety footage shared by police.
A TikTok influencer out of Florida is dealing with expenses for theft after she was allegedly caught on video shoplifting from her native Goal … after which displaying off the objects on her channel.
The retail big’s misplaced prevention staff reached out to Cape Coral Police Division on October 30 after Marlena Velez, 22, was noticed on surveillance footage scanning a faux barcode at a self-checkout to pay decrease costs for what was in her cart.
All advised, the suspect stole extra 16 objects price greater than $500 from the shop, in accordance with Fort Myers Information-Press. She then purportedly posted a video of her displaying off her new purchases to her greater than 300,000 TikTok followers.
LAPD/ ABC 7
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Velez was apparently recognized by considered one of her personal followers after police posted an image of the suspect on the division’s personal social media, asking the general public to assist ID the lady within the surveillance footage.
As soon as police got her Instagram deal with, they had been capable of finding her TokTok account, the place they uncovered a since-deleted get-ready-with-me video of Velez from the day of the shoplifting incident the place she places on the identical outfit and glasses seen in Goal’s safety footage, per Fox affiliate WFTX.
“She basically incriminated herself,” stated CCPD spokesperson Officer Riley Carter, per The Specific Tribune.
Velez was arrested on November 21 and charged with petty theft for an merchandise valued between $100 and $750 and booked into the Lee County jail.
“Influencers ought to face the identical penalties as anybody else,” Carter added. “Their public picture does not exempt them from the regulation.”
Habersham County Sheriff’s Workplace/Google Maps
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That is simply the most recent arrest for Velez, with the Tribune detailing a number of encounters with the regulation, together with her first arrest at 17 years previous for grand theft auto when she allegedly stole and crashed a former highschool buddy’s automotive.
In keeping with the buddy, Velez “by no means felt any regret” and by no means paid restitution for the damages.
The suspect has additionally been beforehand picked up for shoplifting, with a July 2023 arrest for stealing $63 price of kitchen objects from Walmart in Cape Coral by way of the self-checkout.
She served six months probation after pleading no contest to that cost. That probation ended simply final month.
“She’s been residing recklessly, flaunting a life-style that doesn’t match her actions,” the previous highschool buddy advised the Tribune.
Fox / Fb
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