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A woman formerly staying at a women’s sobriety home in the state of California allegedly took a stolen van and led a hours-long law enforcement pursuit ending with her crossing the border into the nation of Mexico on Monday.

Vehicle Theft Reported from Recovery Residence

As stated in a police announcement, a second woman, Nicolle Walters, forty-five years old, reported that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was stolen, along with her vehicle key. The owner, who operates two female recovery residences, identified the suspect as Alyssa Wilson at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, situated approximately 60 minutes north-west of Los Angeles.

“The keys were taken out of my manager’s handbag. I arrived right when it was happening,” Walters stated, adding that the vehicle is used for the facility’s daily operations.

High-Speed Pursuit Unfolds Across Several Regions

Officials tracked the stolen vehicle about 19 kilometers north in Simi Valley, where they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Wilson refused to stop and accelerated rapidly. She attained speeds of about 90mph on the State Route 118 until the pursuit continued into Los Angeles county. At that point, Ventura county authorities handed over the operation to the California highway patrol once Wilson entered the 405 freeway traveling southbound.

“This one is particularly unusual in the context of the traffic conditions enabling drivers to continue to remain on the highway and extend this chase,” commented a public information officer from the local law enforcement agency.

The suspect reportedly avoided all the tire-deflation devices deployed on the roadway by authorities, as seen in aerial videos.

International Getaway and Aftermath

The chase finally arrived at the international border by 1.30pm, leading to the CHP to end its pursuit due to legal limitations.

Walters indicated on Tuesday that the minivan was situated in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was coordinating with the CHP to recover the vehicle.

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

Insight from the Facility Operator

Walters, who has operated the recovery residence since October 2024, recognizes that the journey toward sobriety from substance abuse and emotional distress is often non-linear.

“This is a psychological and substance abuse emergency,” Walters emphasized. “We need additional assistance. It is essential to provide more resources for those that are facing challenges.”

“Recovery isn’t always pretty,” she added.