Real Housewife & Husband Nabbed for $5K Supermarket Heist

Melany Viljoen, a former star of 'Real Housewives of Pretoria,' and her husband, Petrus Viljoen, have been arrested in Boca Raton, Florida. The couple faces charges of aggravated grand theft for allegedly stealing over $5,000 worth of groceries from a Publix supermarket. Investigations revealed the alleged theft scheme spanned six months, beginning in August 2025.

Bodycam footage captured the March 10 arrests, showing Petrus being detained during a traffic stop and Melany being apprehended at their apartment. The couple is accused of employing 'ticket switching' tactics, swapping price tags, and failing to scan items at self-checkout. Authorities tracked the couple by matching license plates from surveillance footage.

Publix officials and police identified 392 stolen items totaling $5,302.17. Melany claimed she acted alone, stating she was in "survival mode" and hadn't worked since moving to the U.S. from South Africa last summer. The couple was booked into jail and subsequently transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, with formal charges filed on April 8.

Florida law classifies aggravated retail theft as a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Melany cited safety concerns in South Africa as her reason for fleeing the country. Petrus identifies as a 'celebrity lawyer,' while Melany previously ran a podcast and owns a nail brand.