CAPE CORAL, Fla. — A 22-year-old social media influencer on TikTok with practically 300,000 followers has been arrested after utilizing pretend barcodes to steal from Goal and filming herself preparing earlier than the alleged theft, police say.
The Cape Coral Police Division in Florida responded to a Goal department positioned at 1890 NE Pine Island Highway in Cape Coral final Wednesday concerning a previous retail theft that occurred on Oct. 30, in line with an announcement from the Cape Coral Police Division.
“Loss Prevention at Goal acknowledged that on October 30, 2024, an unknown feminine entered the shop and chosen objects listed on the market,” police mentioned. “As soon as on the self-checkout register, the feminine suspect didn’t scan the objects’ barcodes, as a substitute scanning a false barcode with cheaper costs.”
In complete, 16 objects of miscellaneous family items and clothes had been stolen with a complete retail worth of $500.32, which was verified by officers by way of Goal’s safety cameras.
In an try to assist determine the suspect by public help, the Cape Coral Police Division’s Fb and Instagram accounts posted the feminine’s image, describing her as showing to be “roughly 20-35 years outdated, had lengthy black hair, and was sporting a tan shirt, tan pants, and glasses.”
An nameless caller who noticed the put up on social media subsequently contacted the police and gave the doable identification for the suspect as Marlena Velez and knowledgeable them of her social media profiles.
“Officers then discovered Marlena’s TikTok account, which paperwork her preparing on October 30, 2024, in the identical outfit and glasses and going to Goal,” police mentioned. “Marlena paperwork herself choosing out objects inside the shop and putting them in her automotive after exiting the shop. Marlena seems to be a content material creator with nearly 300,000 followers.”
Velez has since been arrested and brought to the Lee County Jail and charged with petit theft of lower than $750.
The investigation is presently ongoing.
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