'Real Housewives of Pretoria' star and husband arrested for shoplifting
One of television's most controversial couples, Mel and Peet Viljoen, were arrested in the USA on Tuesday, 10 March.
Melany 'Mel' and Petrus 'Peet' Viljoen were first introduced to the public as stars of the 'The Real Housewives of Pretoria' reality television series.
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The duo were seen as a dynamic, entrepreneurial power couple, but it wasn't long before drama and controversy followed them wherever they went.
From lawsuits to investigative reports, the Viljoens were being bombarded from all sides by Carte Blanche, Mike Bolhuis and many others.
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The couple did everything they could to fight these accusations, but eventually decided to move to Miami, USA.
Peet sent a three-minute video to Rapport, where he went on a "tirade" and explained that the move was not related to their business operations or legal troubles.
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Unfortunately, it seems like the move also didn't work out for them as well as they had hoped.
According to various reports, including News24 and Miami broadcaster Local 10 News, Mel and Peet Viljoen have been arrested for allegedly shoplifting more than $5,300 worth of groceries (around R88,000).
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PEOPLE also reports that the couple was arrested by Boca Raton Police (Florida) and charged with aggravated grand theft over $3,000, and are being held on a $10,000 (around R165,235) bond each.
The 'Housewife' and her husband were arrested in their black Range Rover during a routine traffic stop, and the vehicle is believed to be the same one used in the alleged theft.
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The police said that the couple had carried out a six-month retail theft scheme targeting a Publix supermarket, from August 2025 through their arrest in March 2026.
According to investigators, the accused had conducted 52 transactions in which they had allegedly used 'ticket switching' tactics.
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Ticket switching or tag swapping is "when someone takes a price tag from one item and puts it on another, typically hoping to get a lower price."
Security footage showed them leaving the Publix store with full shopping carts, bypassing the self-checkout line.
WPBF reported that the affidavit stated the couple worked together: Peet distracted employees, and Mel stole the items by failing to scan them.
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Mel allegedly told detectives during her interview that she had acted alone, although the footage clearly shows them both participating in the scheme.
She also claims she stole the items because she was in "survival mode" and she was unable to work in the USA because she did not have a visa.
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Local 10 News also writes: "The items stolen included La Marca Prosecco sparkling wine, San Pellegrino sparkling mineral water, Maison Perrier flavored sparkling water, and Coca-Cola Zero."
A police officer also mentioned on the arrest report that "There are also two incidents within the jurisdiction of Lighthouse Point in Broward County that were not reported ... due to the value not being significant."
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Image: Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office