Recently unveiled police bodycam footage reveals the arrest of a Real Housewife and her spouse, accused of swiping over $5,000 worth of goods from a Florida grocery store.
Melany Viljoen, a 40-year-old featured on Real Housewives of Pretoria, and her husband, Petrus ‘Peet’ Viljoen, 57, were taken into custody on March 10 in Boca Raton. The couple faces charges of aggravated grand theft for allegedly pilfering numerous items from a Publix supermarket over a six-month period, according to police reports.
The investigation into the couple’s activities commenced in late February, following allegations that they began their theft spree in August 2025. They reportedly engaged in ‘ticket switching’, a tactic that involves swapping price tags to pay less, as outlined in an arrest report reviewed by NBC6.
Footage obtained by the news outlet shows Boca Raton Police Department officers apprehending Petrus during a traffic stop, while his wife was handcuffed at their residence.
In the video, Petrus is seen being restrained behind his black Range Rover SUV, expressing surprise, “You’re arresting me?”
A female detective confirmed his identity before informing him that the arrest was due to charges of retail theft.
He listened to the officer before confirming with her that his wife was inside their apartment.
The clip then showed Melany stepping outside their front door, appearing to be in shock at the officers who greeted her.
Melany Viljoen, the 40-year-old star of Real Housewives of Pretoria, and her husband, Petrus ‘Peet’ Viljoen, 57, were seen in newly released police bodycam footage being arrested for alleged theft
Melany is seen opening her apartment door as police come to arrest her
Melany and her husband, Petrus were arrested on March 10 in Boca Raton on charges of aggravated grand theft after they allegedly stole several dozen items from a Publix supermarket in Boca Raton
The reality star, dressed in a long white robe and no shoes, was then directed to turn around and place her hands behind her back as officers locked handcuffs on her wrists.
She then appeared to ask what was happening as a male officer said: ‘We’ll explain everything in a second.’
After confirming with police that there was no one else in the home, officers went inside to double-check.
Melany then asked: ‘Can I make a call?’
The officer responded: ‘No, we’re gonna take care of all that, but do you mind if we check?’ as she agreed to the search.
The footage then showed Melany, who changed into another outfit, being escorted to a police cruiser.
A female officer then searched her before placing her in the back of the car and strapping her in the seat.
Police were able to track down the couple by matching their license plate to the one caught in surveillance footage at the store.
Publix officials and police reviewed 52 transactions and found 392 stolen items, WPBF reported.
Petrus initially questioned if he was being arrested until a female detective told him he was being arrested for retail theft+
After changing out her robe, Melany was taken downstairs and put into a polcie cruiser+
In a post-Miranda interview, Melany (left) insisted that she had acted alone despite both parties admitting to being the people seen in surveillance footage. Petrus (right) denied any involvement in the crimes
The pair was booked into jail before being transferred into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. They were officially charged on April 8, according to records
Among the loot was fruit, soda, toilet paper, and sparkling water. The expenses totaled $5,302.17.
According to the affidavit, the couple scanned multiple items as seasoning packets rather than their real price.
Melany and Petrus also allegedly failed to scan items at self-checkout and walked out with them in their shopping cart.
Investigators claimed that Petrus was seen talking with employees on multiple occasions ‘in (an) effort to distract the employee while Melany committed the crime.’
He even allegedly pushed carts past the final point of sale without paying.
In a post-Miranda interview, Melany insisted that she had acted alone despite both parties admitting to being the people seen in surveillance footage.
Petrus denied any involvement in the crimes, per WPTV.
In the state of Florida, aggravated retail theft offenses are classified as second-degree felonies and hold punishment of up to 15 years in prison.
The pair were booked into jail before being transferred into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, NBC6 reported.
They were officially charged on April 8, according to records.
The Real Housewives of Pretoria premiered in 2022, following a group of affluent South African women. The series ended after one season.
Melany told investigators that she was in ‘survival mode’ and had not worked since moving to the United States.
The Real Housewives of Pretoria premiered in 2022, following a group of affluent South African women. The series ended after one season
Melany ran a podcast that shared weekly episodes until October 2025, and she also owns a nail brand. Petrus identifies himself as a ‘celebrity lawyer’
The couple made the move to the US from South Africa last summer.
She told IOL that she was fleeing her home country due to safety concerns, claiming that black South Africans were targeting her and her business.
‘Black people would pitch at my business, at my house, at multiple of my businesses and try to intimidate the staff and try to intimidate me,’ she said.
‘It just became so scary for me in South Africa that I couldn’t wait to leave.’
Melany ran a podcast that shared weekly episodes until October 2025, and she also owns a nail brand. Petrus identifies himself as a ‘celebrity lawyer’.
She previously archived her Instagram profile following their arrests, but has since put it back up.
