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A woman previously residing at a women’s sobriety home in California reportedly stole a minivan and engaged in a hours-long police chase culminating with her traveling across the border into Mexico on the start of the week.

Auto Theft Reported from Recovery Residence

As stated in a police statement, a another female, the owner of the vehicle, forty-five years old, notified authorities that her gray minivan from 2004 was missing, along with her car key. Walters, who manages two female recovery residences, identified the suspect as Alyssa Wilson at Diana’s House Sober Living, situated approximately an hour’s drive of LA.

“My keys were taken from my manager’s handbag. I arrived just as it was occurring,” she said, adding that the vehicle is used for the facility’s daily operations.

Dramatic Chase Develops Across Multiple Counties

Authorities located the van about 19 kilometers north in Simi Valley, where they attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the suspect did not comply and accelerated rapidly. She reached speeds of about 145km/h on the 118 freeway until the chase proceeded into LA County. At that juncture, Ventura county authorities transferred the pursuit to the CHP once the driver entered the 405 freeway heading south.

“This incident is particularly unusual in the context of the road situation allowing drivers to continue to remain on the highway and extend this pursuit,” commented a spokesperson from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

Wilson reportedly dodged all the tire-deflation devices deployed on the roadway by authorities, as seen in aerial videos.

International Getaway and Aftermath

The pursuit eventually reached the international border by early afternoon, prompting the CHP to terminate the chase due to jurisdictional constraints.

The vehicle owner stated on Tuesday that the vehicle was situated in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was working with the CHP to retrieve it.

“Ultimately, I’m not concerned with the car,” Walters remarked. “I’m relieved aware she wasn’t hurt. The minivan is replaceable.”

Insight from the Facility Operator

Walters, who has run the recovery residence since October 2024, recognizes that the path to recovery from substance abuse and emotional distress is not always linear.

“This represents a mental health and substance abuse crisis,” she said. “There is a need for additional assistance. It is essential to provide more resources for those that are facing challenges.”

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