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A woman formerly staying at a women’s sobriety home in California allegedly stole a minivan and engaged in a prolonged police chase ending with her traveling across the border into Mexico on Monday.

Vehicle Theft Reported from Recovery Residence

According to a law enforcement statement, a second woman, the owner of the vehicle, 45, notified authorities that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was missing, along with her vehicle key. Walters, who manages two female recovery residences, identified the alleged thief as Alyssa Wilson at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, situated approximately 60 minutes north-west of LA.

“The keys were taken out of my house manager’s purse. I arrived just as it was occurring,” Walters stated, noting that the vehicle is designated for the facility’s daily operations.

High-Speed Pursuit Develops Across Several Regions

Officials tracked the van about 12 miles to the north in Simi Valley, where they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect refused to stop and accelerated rapidly. She attained speeds of about 90mph on the 118 freeway until the pursuit proceeded into Los Angeles county. At that point, Ventura county authorities handed over the operation to the California highway patrol once the driver merged onto the 405 freeway traveling southbound.

“This incident is very unique in the context of the road situation allowing individuals to continue to remain on the freeway and prolong this chase,” said a spokesperson from the local law enforcement agency.

The suspect allegedly avoided all the tire-deflation devices deployed on the roadway by police, as seen in aerial videos.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath

The pursuit eventually reached the international border by 1.30pm, prompting the highway patrol to end its pursuit due to jurisdictional constraints.

Walters indicated on Tuesday that the vehicle was located in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was coordinating with the authorities to retrieve it.

“At the end of the day, I’m not worried about the car,” Walters remarked. “I’m more at ease aware she wasn’t hurt. The minivan is easily substituted.”

Insight from the Facility Operator

The sober living home owner, who has run Diana’s House Sober Living since October 2024, acknowledges that the journey toward sobriety from substance abuse and trauma is often non-linear.

“This represents a psychological and addiction emergency,” Walters emphasized. “We need additional assistance. It is essential to provide greater resources for those that are struggling.”

“The recovery process isn’t always pretty,” Walters concluded.