A TIKTOK influencer has been arrested after being accused of ticket-switching at a Target self-checkout by scanning false barcodes with lower prices.
Marlena Velez, who has over 300,000 followers on the social media platform, was arrested by police in Cape Coral, Florida, after cops were able to identify her with the help of her own TikTok videos.
TikToker Marlena Velez was arrested and charged with petty theft after allegedly stealing 16 items from TargetCape Coral Police Department
Cape Coral police identified Marlena Velez with the help of her own TikTok videosCape Coral Police Department
A photo of Velez exiting the Target after she allegedly scanned false barcodes with lower prices on several itemsCape Coral Police Department
Target‘s loss prevention staff informed Cape Coral police that on October 30, a young female entered the location and stole 16 items at self-checkout by scanning false barcodes with lower prices.
The stolen items, which included household goods and clothing, were valued at $500.32, police said.
Cape Coral police shared a photo of the suspect on its social media platforms, showing the woman with long black hair wearing a tan T-shirt, tan pants, and glasses.
An anonymous caller contacted police and identified that woman as Velez, 22, informing investigators that they followed her on Instagram.
Velez’s Instagram profile had a link to her TikTok page.
Her TikTok account consists of get-ready-with-me content.
Authorities combed through Velez’s TikTok account and found a video of herself getting ready, wearing the same tan outfit with glasses and a similar hairstyle, and heading to Target on October 30.
Velez also documented herself picking out items inside the store and placing them in her vehicle.
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