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Real Housewives Star Accused of $5K Supermarket Heist
12 Mar
Summary
- Couple accused of stealing over $5,000 from a Florida supermarket.
- Alleged 'ticket switching' and failure to scan items used in thefts.
- Couple recently moved from South Africa citing safety concerns.
A "Real Housewives of Pretoria" personality, Melany Viljoen, and her husband, Petrus, have been charged with aggravated grand retail theft in Florida. The couple is accused of stealing over $5,000 worth of merchandise from a Publix supermarket over a six-month period following August 2025.
Investigators allege the couple employed 'ticket switching' to obtain items at lower prices and also failed to scan merchandise at self-checkout. Surveillance footage and transaction reviews reportedly revealed 392 stolen items, including groceries and household necessities.
The Viljoens, who recently relocated to the U.S. from South Africa last summer, were arrested during a traffic stop. Melany reportedly told investigators she acted alone and was in 'survival mode,' having not worked since moving to America.
She claimed they left South Africa due to safety concerns involving intimidation. Petrus, who identified himself as a 'celebrity lawyer,' denied involvement, though both admitted to being present in surveillance footage.
