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A female individual previously residing at a female recovery facility in the state of California allegedly took a stolen van and led a hours-long law enforcement pursuit culminating with her crossing the border into the nation of Mexico on Monday.

Vehicle Theft Discovered from Sober Living Home

As stated in a police announcement, a another female, Nicolle Walters, 45, notified authorities that her gray minivan from 2004 was missing, along with her car key. The owner, who operates two female recovery residences, named the alleged thief as Alyssa Wilson at Diana’s House Sober Living, located approximately an hour’s drive of LA.

“The keys were taken out of my manager’s handbag. I happened to pull up right when it was occurring,” she said, noting that the minivan is used for the facility’s daily operations.

High-Speed Pursuit Unfolds Across Multiple Counties

Authorities located the stolen vehicle about 12 miles to the north in a nearby city, where they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Wilson did not comply and sped away. She reached speeds of about 90mph on the State Route 118 until the chase proceeded into Los Angeles county. At that point, local sheriff’s deputies transferred the operation to the CHP once the driver merged onto the Interstate 405 heading south.

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

The suspect allegedly avoided all the spike strips tossed on the roadway by police, as documented in footage from above.

International Getaway and Aftermath Developments

The pursuit finally arrived at the international border by early afternoon, leading to the highway patrol to terminate the chase due to jurisdictional constraints.

The vehicle owner stated on the following day that the vehicle was situated in Tijuana, Mexico and that she was working with the authorities to recover the vehicle.

“Ultimately, I’m not worried about the car,” she said. “I’m relieved aware she wasn’t hurt. The car is replaceable.”

Owner’s Perspective

Walters, who has run Diana’s House Sober Living since October 2024, recognizes that the path to recovery from substance abuse and emotional distress is often non-linear.

“This is 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 struggling.”

“Recovery can be messy,” she added.