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A woman previously residing at a female recovery facility in California allegedly took a stolen van and engaged in a prolonged police chase ending with her traveling across the international boundary into the nation of Mexico on the start of the week.

Vehicle Theft Reported from Recovery Residence

According to a law enforcement announcement, a another female, the owner of the vehicle, forty-five years old, reported that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was stolen, along with her car key. Walters, who manages two women’s sober living homes, identified the alleged thief as Alyssa Wilson at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, situated approximately 60 minutes north-west of Los Angeles.

“My keys were stolen out of my house manager’s purse. I arrived just as it was happening,” she said, noting that the minivan is designated for the facility’s daily operations.

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Several Regions

Officials located the van about 12 miles north in Simi Valley, where they tried to pull the vehicle over, but Wilson refused to stop and sped away. She reached speeds of about 145km/h on the State Route 118 until the chase proceeded into Los Angeles county. At that point, Ventura county authorities transferred the operation to the CHP once the driver entered the Interstate 405 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,” said a spokesperson from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

The suspect reportedly avoided all the spike strips deployed on the road by police, as seen in aerial videos.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath Developments

The pursuit eventually reached the international border by early afternoon, leading to the highway patrol to terminate the chase due to legal limitations.

Walters indicated on the following day that the vehicle was located in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was working with the authorities to recover the vehicle.

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

Insight from the Facility Operator

The sober living home owner, who has run Diana’s House Sober Living since October 2024, recognizes that the path to recovery from substance abuse and emotional distress is not always linear.

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

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