Retail Crime Suppression Operation Nets Arrests

Las Cruces police announced the arrest of 35-year-old Felicia Fae Peters on Thursday in connection with an organized retail crime investigation initiated in August 2025.

Peters, originally from the Farmington, N.M., area, is charged with a second-degree felony count of organized retail crime, a third-degree felony count of shoplifting more than $2,500 and a misdemeanor count of assault which stemmed from threats made to an employee during a theft.

A 35-year-old man, also connected to the investigation, was arrested on two misdemeanor charges.

The search and arrest warrants were served Thursday, Dec. 11, at a residence on the 1600 block of Birch Court.

Investigators learned that Peters would select large volumes of merchandise from retail stores in Las Cruces and then leave through a fire exit where she was met and assisted by other individuals to facilitate her escape. The stolen merchandise would then be advertised on established social media pages and sold to unsuspecting buyers.

The total value of the known stolen merchandise between August and October 2025 is believed to have a retail value at more than $10,000.

Investigators identified a social media account linked to Peters, where stolen merchandise was offered for sale, and established communications with the user. Investigators used the information gathered during the investigation to obtain the warrants. LCPD is especially appreciative of the assistance it received from the Organized Retail Crime investigation team at The Home Depot.

Peters has an established criminal history in New Mexico that includes felony convictions for violent and property crimes.

Other members of the criminal enterprise have been identified, and further investigation is expected to yield additional arrests.

Criminal statutes introduced in 2023 make the coordinated theft of merchandise with the intent to profit a second-degree felony in New Mexico. The statutes allow law enforcement to aggregate theft values for individuals, regardless of the retailer, over a period of three months. Police can then file charges according to the total value of stolen merchandise.

LCPD retail crime investigators will continue to conduct operations to suppress criminal activity at retail locations throughout the 2025 holiday shopping season. The operation uses a combination of uniformed and undercover officers, drone surveillance and the Real Time Crime Center, and communication and coordination with local loss prevention personnel to locate, identify and monitor known and suspected offenders.

In the last two weeks, investigators have recovered approximately $1,100 in stolen merchandise and arrested six other individuals – three men and three women – on criminal charges of shoplifting, criminal trespass, receipt and transfer of stolen property, possession of methamphetamine and violent offenses against law enforcement.

These arrests have also resulted in the service of three felony and three misdemeanor arrest warrants. Suspects in these cases have all acknowledged their intent to profit from selling the stolen merchandise.

Investigators continue to routinely monitor and charge individuals using the 2023 statutes to ensure the safety of local businesses, employees and customers.

Anyone with information on organized criminal activity such as these is asked to call Las Cruces police at (575) 526-0795. Tips can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Las Cruces and Dona Ana County at 1-800-222-8477.