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A woman formerly staying at a female recovery facility in California reportedly took a stolen van and led a prolonged police chase culminating with her traveling across the international boundary into Mexico on the start of the week.

Vehicle Theft Reported from Sober Living Home

As stated in a law enforcement announcement, a second woman, Nicolle Walters, forty-five years old, reported that her gray minivan from 2004 was missing, along with her car key. The owner, who operates two female recovery residences, named the suspect as Alyssa Wilson at Diana’s House Sober Living, located approximately an hour’s drive of Los Angeles.

“The keys were stolen out of my manager’s handbag. I happened to pull up just as it was happening,” Walters stated, noting that the vehicle is designated for the facility’s daily operations.

Dramatic Chase Develops Across Multiple Counties

Officials located the van about 19 kilometers north in Simi Valley, where they tried to initiate a traffic stop, but Wilson did not comply and sped away. She reached speeds of about 90mph on the 118 freeway until the chase continued into LA County. At that point, Ventura county authorities transferred the operation to the California highway patrol once Wilson merged onto the 405 freeway heading south.

“This incident is very unique in the sense of the road situation enabling drivers to persist on the highway and extend this pursuit,” said a public information officer from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

Wilson reportedly avoided all the spike strips tossed on the road by authorities, as documented in footage from above.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath

The pursuit finally arrived at the international border by 1.30pm, prompting the highway patrol to end its pursuit due to legal limitations.

The vehicle owner indicated on the following day that the minivan was situated in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was coordinating with the authorities to recover the vehicle.

“Ultimately, I’m not concerned with the vehicle,” she remarked. “I’m more at ease knowing she was not injured. The car is easily substituted.”

Owner’s Perspective

Walters, who has operated Diana’s House Sober Living since last October, recognizes that the journey toward sobriety from substance abuse and trauma is not always linear.

“This is a mental health and addiction emergency,” she said. “We need more support. It is essential to provide more resources for those that are struggling.”

“The recovery process can be messy,” Walters concluded.