Cape Coral TikTok influencer Marlena Velez, known for sharing her picture-perfect life with over 400,000 followers, is facing legal trouble for the second time in three weeks.
The 22-year-old was arrested on November 20 after allegedly using a fake barcode at a Target store to steal $225 worth of items, including clothing and Christmas decorations.
The arrest comes shortly after her Oct. 30 incident, where she was accused of stealing over $500 worth of goods from the same Target. Ironically, Velez posted a TikTok video that day showing her wearing an outfit that matched the one in surveillance footage, helping police identify her.
According to Cape Coral Police, Velez’s actions were captured on store security footage.
“You can see her scan a false barcode instead of the real one,” reported NBC2 journalist Kennedy Mason. “Some of the clothes just go right into the bag.”
Joe Moore, a neighbor of Velez, expressed disbelief at her repeated actions.
“It’s kind of amazing to be so blatant and then go back to the same place. There’s no shame or embarrassment at all,” he said.
Cape Coral Police Officer Mercedes Simmons pointed out the dissonance between Velez’s online persona and her alleged actions.
“Her social media is great. It’s very aesthetically pleasing. It looks like she takes good care of her kids, but it’s all going to be things that she doesn’t need,” she said.
The influencer’s past includes a grand theft auto arrest at age 17 and a shoplifting incident at Walmart earlier this year. Despite her arrest, Velez has remained active on social media, though she has since set her TikTok account to private and removed incriminating videos.
Local residents and law enforcement are left questioning the impact of her behavior on her audience and her children.
Moore added, “You’ve got to wonder about the parents at that point. There are plenty of jobs out there.”
While TikTok has stated they are investigating the matter, responses from Target and Instagram are pending. Velez has declined to comment through a representative.
With two arrests in less than a month, the legal system will now determine whether stricter measures are necessary to prevent further incidents.
