Overview
- Melany and Petrus “Peet” Viljoen were arrested on March 10 in Palm Beach County and booked on aggravated grand retail theft, then released on $10,000 bond each.
- Store analysts and Boca Raton police linked 52 transactions to the pair, identifying 392 unscanned items, with 369 confirmed on CCTV over a period starting in August 2025.
- Investigators describe a ticket‑switching method that used cheaper barcodes or seasoning packets at self‑checkout, and they say surveillance tied the suspects to a black Range Rover.
- Melany acknowledged being in the footage and told officers she was in “survival mode” due to not working without a visa, while Peet denied intentional theft as police alleged he distracted employees.
- Alleged stolen goods included sparkling waters, La Marca Prosecco, Coca‑Cola Zero, produce and toilet paper, and prosecutors say the case remains under active investigation.