CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Marlena Velez, a TikTok influencer from Cape Coral who previously faced charges for stealing from Target and documenting her thefts online, has found herself back in legal trouble. This time, however, her arrest is related to a violation of her probation, not theft.
Authorities reported that Velez, who entered a no-contest plea regarding her earlier theft charges in March 2025, was spotted by police on September 29 driving in the vicinity of 800 Cultural Park Boulevard. Officers, familiar with her due to her past offenses, attempted to pull her over, but she fled the scene as the officer was exiting his vehicle.
Concerned for public safety, especially in the residential neighborhood where children were present, the police chose not to pursue her. Following this encounter, officers made several attempts to locate her at her home, but she refused to respond, despite actively posting content on TikTok.
On October 12, police recognized her vehicle again, and this time, they found Velez in the passenger seat. However, upon approaching the car, officers noted something unusual. “Suddenly, Marlena Velez is no longer in the passenger seat,” remarked Mercedes Simonds, Public Information Officer. A subsequent search revealed Velez hiding in the floorboard of the back seat, unusually positioned in front of her child’s car seat.
She was apprehended without further incident and charged with probation violation and fleeing law enforcement personnel. While details on how she violated probation remain unclear, authorities have stated there is no indication that it involved another theft incident.
This ongoing situation highlights the challenges of social media fame and its consequences. As Velez navigates her legal troubles, it serves as a reminder of the risks associated with public displays of behavior that may lead to detrimental outcomes.