Peet and Mel Viljoen have accused US authorities of losing or stealing their luxury belongings following their arrest. The South African reality TV couple made the claims in an exclusive interview with Rapport from their separate immigration detention centres.

They face aggravated grand retail theft charges after Boca Raton police arrested them on 10 March 2026. The pair allegedly used ticket-switching to steal groceries worth more than $5 300 from a Publix store over six months.

Viljoens Allege Theft of Luxury Items

Peet Viljoen says he carried a Louis Vuitton sling bag during his arrest. He claims the bag contained his cellphone, wallet with $2 000 in cash, and twenty 0.3-carat diamonds worth about R180 000. Additional missing items include his Louis Vuitton sunglasses, Mel’s Burberry umbrella and his Mont Blanc pen.

The couple values the lost property at roughly R340 000. They blame either Boca Raton police or Priority Towing & U-Haul, the company that towed Mel’s Range Rover. Peet and Mel Viljoen believe the items disappeared while under official care.

Boca Raton police spokesperson Jessica Desir rejects the allegations. She confirms officers completed a full inventory form that both a police officer and a towing employee signed at the scene. The list records only the handbag, cellphone, wallet and $121 in cash. No diamonds or designer sunglasses appear on it.

Couple Demands Return of Missing Property

Peet and Mel Viljoen have instructed attorney Tonya VanDenHeuvel to send a formal letter of demand to Priority Towing. The letter accuses the company of negligence and gives it 48 hours to locate and return the items or provide full records, photographs, CCTV footage and employee details.

The Viljoens say they will press theft charges if the company fails to respond. Priority Towing did not reply to media questions about the matter.

Peet also disputes the theft charge amount, which police listed as first $1 000, then $2 500 and later $5 000. He maintains the actual value should be far lower.

Life in US Detention Centres

Peet Viljoen spent initial time in the Florida facility known as Alligator Alcatraz before his transfer to California. He told Rapport he now has long hair and a grey beard. “I looked like a possessed terrorist,” he joked about seeing his reflection for the first time.

Mel Viljoen is held at the Denver Contract Detention Facility in Colorado. She says she looks much the same, except for missing acrylic nails that contained diamonds now in evidence. Both describe buying basic supplies from the prison store and note that South Africa feels freer by comparison.

Peet says he still loves South Africa but left because of security threats. He believes the couple could return home within weeks.