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A female individual previously residing at a women’s sobriety home in California reportedly took a stolen van and engaged in a hours-long police chase culminating with her crossing the international boundary into the nation of Mexico on Monday.

Auto Theft Reported from Sober Living Home

As stated in a law enforcement announcement, a another female, Nicolle Walters, 45, notified authorities that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was stolen, along with her car key. The owner, who operates two women’s sober living homes, named the suspect as Alyssa Wilson at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, located approximately 60 minutes north-west of Los Angeles.

“My keys were taken from my house manager’s purse. I happened to pull up right when it was occurring,” Walters stated, noting that the minivan is used for the facility’s daily operations.

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Multiple Counties

Authorities located the van about 12 miles north in a nearby city, where they tried 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 juncture, local sheriff’s deputies transferred the pursuit to the California highway patrol once the driver entered the Interstate 405 heading south.

“This one is particularly unusual in the sense of the road situation allowing individuals to continue to remain on the freeway and prolong this pursuit,” said a public information officer from the local law enforcement agency.

The suspect reportedly dodged all the tire-deflation devices tossed on the roadway by authorities, as seen in aerial videos.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath

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

The vehicle owner indicated on the following day that the vehicle was located in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was coordinating with the CHP to retrieve it.

“Ultimately, I’m not worried about the car,” she remarked. “I’m relieved aware she wasn’t hurt. The minivan is easily substituted.”

Owner’s Perspective

The sober living home owner, who has run the recovery residence since October 2024, recognizes that the journey toward sobriety from substance abuse and emotional distress is not always linear.

“This is a psychological and substance abuse emergency,” she said. “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.