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

Vehicle Theft Discovered from Recovery Residence

According to a law enforcement statement, a second woman, Nicolle Walters, 45, notified authorities that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was missing, along with her vehicle key. Walters, who manages two women’s sober living homes, named the alleged thief as Alyssa Wilson at Diana’s House Sober Living, located approximately 60 minutes north-west of LA.

“The keys were taken from my house manager’s purse. I arrived right when it was occurring,” Walters stated, noting that the minivan is designated for the facility’s daily operations.

Dramatic Chase Develops Across Multiple Counties

Officials located the van about 12 miles to the north in Simi Valley, where they tried to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect refused to stop and accelerated rapidly. She reached speeds of about 90mph on the State Route 118 until the chase continued into LA County. At that juncture, local sheriff’s deputies handed over the pursuit to the CHP once Wilson entered the 405 freeway heading south.

“This one is very unique in the sense of the traffic conditions allowing drivers to continue to remain on the highway and prolong this chase,” said a public information officer from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

The suspect allegedly avoided all the spike strips deployed on the roadway by authorities, as documented in aerial videos.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath Developments

The chase eventually reached the US-Mexico border by 1.30pm, leading to 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 coordinating with the authorities to retrieve it.

“At the end of the day, I’m not worried about the vehicle,” Walters remarked. “I’m more at ease aware 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 last October, recognizes that the journey toward sobriety from substance abuse and trauma is often non-linear.

“This is a psychological and addiction emergency,” Walters emphasized. “There is a need for more support. It is essential to provide more resources for those that are facing challenges.”

“The recovery process can be messy,” she added.