TikToker sentenced for flaunting stolen Target merchandise

Marlena Velez, a 22-year-old TikToker from Florida, was sentenced to 12 months of probation on March 13 for stealing from Target. She pleaded no contest to two counts of petty theft related to shoplifting incidents. Velez gained attention in 2024 after posting a video showcasing stolen items from Target. She used false barcodes to lower prices on goods worth $225 during one incident, and had a prior theft arrest at the same store. Authorities identified her through security footage and social media posts. Her TikTok account, which has over 462,000 followers, was made private after her arrest, but her previous videos continued to attract attention.