A Florida TikTok influencer, Marlena Valez, who has over half a million followers, has been arrested again, this time for reportedly trying to hide from police inside an SUV.
Velez, 23, was previously arrested twice in late 2024 for shoplifting from a Cape Coral Target, even after going viral the first time for her stolen haul video. Investigators said she used fake barcodes to buy items at reduced prices, and police later identified her through social media posts on her TikTok account.
She was sentenced in March 2025 to 12 months of probation in connection with the theft cases.
Cape Coral Police said Velez was taken into custody on October 12 after weeks of evading law enforcement.
According to police, Velez was spotted in a gray 2022 Kia Sorento that afternoon. When officers approached, she allegedly disappeared from view before being found lying on the backseat floorboard.
Arrest follows September chase and ongoing probation case
Police say the October arrest connects to a September 29, 2025, incident where Velez allegedly fled from an officer during an attempted traffic stop. The officer disengaged the pursuit due to safety concerns, but the incident led to a new fleeing charge.
Velez now faces two counts of probation violation and one count of fleeing and eluding law enforcement. She remains in custody at the Lee County Jail without bond.
She’s not the first influencer to get arrested this month, either, as a 52-year-old WWE fan was arrested after stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of wrestling action figures.
