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A female individual formerly staying at a women’s sobriety home in the state of California allegedly took a stolen van and engaged in a prolonged police chase ending with her crossing the border into Mexico on the start of the week.

Vehicle Theft Discovered from Sober Living Home

According to a law enforcement announcement, a another female, Nicolle Walters, 45, reported that her gray minivan from 2004 was missing, along with her car key. Walters, who operates two women’s sober living homes, identified the alleged thief as Alyssa Wilson at Diana’s House Sober Living, situated approximately 60 minutes north-west of Los Angeles.

“The keys were taken from my house manager’s purse. I happened to pull up right when it was occurring,” Walters stated, adding that the minivan is used for the sobriety home’s tasks.

High-Speed Pursuit Develops Across Multiple Counties

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

“This incident is very unique in the context of the traffic conditions allowing drivers to persist on the freeway and extend this chase,” commented a spokesperson from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

The suspect reportedly avoided all the tire-deflation devices tossed on the road by authorities, as seen in footage from above.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath Developments

The pursuit eventually reached the international border by early afternoon, leading to the CHP to end its pursuit due to legal limitations.

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

“Ultimately, I’m not worried about the vehicle,” Walters said. “I’m relieved knowing she was not injured. The minivan is replaceable.”

Insight from the Facility Operator

The sober living home owner, who has operated Diana’s House Sober Living since October 2024, acknowledges that the journey toward sobriety from substance abuse and trauma is not always linear.

“This represents a mental health and substance abuse emergency,” Walters emphasized. “We need more support. It is essential to provide more resources for those that are facing challenges.”

“Recovery can be messy,” she added.