A TikToker who went viral in 2024 after stealing from Target and posting a video showing off her haul has been sentenced.
Florida TikTok star and Instagram influencer Marlena Velez, 22, was sentenced to 12 months of probation on March 13, following her no-contest plea to two counts of petty theft.
Known for her TikTok account with over 462,000 followers and 9.6 million likes, Velez faced charges stemming from two incidents of shoplifting at a local Target, where she also flaunted the stolen items on social media.
The case first unfolded on November 30, 2024, when Cape Coral Police were called to the Target on Pine Island Road to investigate a theft reported by the store’s loss prevention staff.
TikToker caught using false barcodes at Target
Surveillance footage revealed Velez using false barcodes at the self-checkout to significantly reduce the prices of 16 household and clothing items, valued at $225.
Authorities identified Velez through security footage and her social media accounts. Investigators matched her phone’s wallpaper, visible in the footage, with images posted on her Instagram.
Further review of her TikTok account documented her wearing the same outfit and glasses during an October 30 visit to the store, bolstering the case against her.
This wasn’t her first offense. On November 20, just 10 days prior to the incident, she was arrested for a separate theft at the same Target location. In that instance, she stole items valued at $500.32.
Following her initial arrest, Velez’s TikTok account was switched to private, but the viral nature of her content, including videos documenting her activities, has drawn widespread attention.
Judge Maria Gonzalez handed down the probation sentence on March 13 as part of a plea deal. The social media star’s probation will run concurrently for both cases.
