Newly obtained body worn camera footage is adding another twist to the ongoing theft investigation involving the “Real Housewives of Pretoria” couple.
Melany Viljoen, 39, and Petrus “Peet” Viljoen, 57, who Boca Raton police say stole more than $5,300 in groceries from a Boca Raton Publix through a monthslong “ticket-switching” scheme.
The video shows officers conducting a March 10 traffic stop, during which both suspects were taken into custody.
“You’re arresting me?” Peet asked the Boca Raton officers.
“I’m investigating a crime that’s been occurring since August of last year,” replied the officer. “That’s what you’re being arrested for – it’s for retail theft.”
The officer asked where Peet’s wife was, and he said she was at their apartment.
Within 30 minutes, officers were at the door of their Newth Apartment.
“Why don’t you step on out for us, please?” asked an officer. Melany steps out, dressed in a robe, and is immediately taken into custody.
Investigators had already linked the pair to 52 transactions and 392 unpaid items, including sparkling water, wine, soda, produce, and household staples. Surveillance footage confirmed 369 of those items on camera, documenting what police described as a coordinated pattern of theft dating back to August 2025.
According to arrest affidavits, the couple repeatedly scanned inexpensive seasoning packets in place of higher-priced merchandise, while Petrus allegedly distracted employees as Melany carried out the fraudulent scans.
In a new development, both Melany and Petrus Viljoen are now being held under a federal detainer, preventing them from bonding out while immigration authorities review their status. Their booking pH๏τos have been removed from public circulation following the federal hold.
Records show the couple has been transferred into ICE custody, with Melany being held at the Broward Transitional Center and Petrus being held at the Florida Soft Side South facility, a detention site commonly referred to as Alligator Alcatraz.
Publix data analysts first flagged abnormally low transaction totals linked to the couple’s debit and credit cards, prompting a deep review of receipts, store analytics, and CCTV. Detectives say this revealed a systematic pattern of theft, with the couple allegedly returning to the same Publix even after the investigation began. In several cases, they reportedly bypᴀssed scanning altogether and walked out with full carts.
The Viljoens were initially booked on aggravated grand retail theft charges, each ᴀssigned a $10,000 bond, before the federal hold was placed. Because of the ICE detainer and Petrus’ placement at “Alligator Alcatraz,” the case may now extend into federal immigration proceedings.
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