Marlena Velez, a TikTok influencer known for her motherly wisdom, added a dash of criminal flair to her content by allegedly stealing from Target—twice—proving that life lessons can sometimes come with handcuffs.

In a plot twist that read more like a poorly scripted TikTok skit, the 22-year-old influencer was arrested not once, but twice for theft at the same Florida Target, where she allegedly took items worth over $725 using a mix of charm and chicanery. With nearly 400,000 followers hanging onto her every word about motherhood, Velez’s escapades serve as a cautionary tale that sometimes, even the most uplifting life advice can lead to a criminal record—or a stint in the slammer.

Velez's first encounter with law enforcement occurred on October 30, when she allegedly pilfered 16 items valued at over $500. A bold move for anyone, especially for someone with a sizable social media following. Police identified Velez through surveillance footage and her social media activities, including a TikTok video from the day of her first theft.

Not one to be deterred, Velez resurfaced just weeks later, on November 20, employing a novel approach to her thievery—she allegedly utilized a phony barcode at the self-checkout. Apparently, the self-checkout lane can be a portal not just for groceries but also for ambition... or desperation. This time, she reportedly lifted items worth $225, making her an unlikely champion of the self-service revolution.

Police quickly connected the dots, with Velez being recognized during her second arrest due to her first brush with the law at the same store. Given how quickly her fate unfolded, it seems like law enforcement found her as easy to identify as the latest TikTok dance craze. One officer reportedly quipped, 'The surveillance footage just about does her makeup for her.'

Interestingly, Velez's social media escapades were less about stealing likes and more about stealing real-life items. Her first moment of infamy was compounded by her own posting habits. Law enforcement utilized surveillance footage not just of her bold escapades inside the store but also a TikTok video she shared on the very day of her initial theft. Watching a TikTok influencer’s contrition dance while on the verge of arrest could inspire a new genre of content: Crime Confessions with a Beat.

While her current influencers' escapades might not trend as favorably as her usual content, Velez is no stranger to the art of rebellion; her criminal history includes a prior arrest for grand theft auto when she was only 17. Clearly a trendsetter of sorts, it’s no surprise she aims to make her mark.

Perhaps the most sobering quote from this entire debacle came directly from Velez during her first arrest, where she reportedly stated, 'Lesson learned.' Whether she learned that crime doesn’t pay or that Target has a robust security system remains to be seen. But let's just say that she could be the spokesperson for a new line of merchandise: 'Lessons Learned: Now with Fewer Arrests.'

As it stands, if convicted of both theft cases, Velez could face a maximum sentence of one year in prison. Whether or not her followers will stand by her through this turbulent time, or if she’ll gain new insights for her content during her potential imprisonment, is as yet uncertain. After all, there are only so many DIY prison crafts one can post before it grows stale.

For now, the saga of Marlena Velez serves as a rather intricate reality check. In a world where every moment can be immortalized on social media, perhaps the message is to pick and choose wisely—because unlike trending dances, some choices can lead not just to the trending tab but also to a court date. With the right tilt of the phone camera, however, one can only imagine the imagination for her next act. Will it be a heartwarming tale of redemption or a deep-dive into the abyss of shoplifting? Either way, we'll be watching.