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A woman previously residing at a women’s sobriety home in California allegedly took a stolen van and engaged in a prolonged police chase ending with her crossing the border into the nation of Mexico on the start of the week.

Auto Theft Reported from Recovery Residence

As stated in a law enforcement announcement, a another female, Nicolle Walters, 45, notified authorities that her gray minivan from 2004 was stolen, along with her vehicle key. The owner, who operates 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 from my manager’s handbag. I happened to pull up right when it was happening,” she said, adding that the minivan is designated for the facility’s daily operations.

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Several Regions

Authorities tracked the stolen vehicle about 12 miles to the north in Simi Valley, where they tried to pull the vehicle over, but the suspect did not comply and sped away. She attained speeds of about 90mph on the State Route 118 until the pursuit continued into LA County. At that point, Ventura county authorities handed over the pursuit to the California highway patrol once the driver merged onto the Interstate 405 traveling southbound.

“This incident is particularly unusual in the sense of the road situation enabling drivers to persist on the highway and extend this chase,” commented a public information officer from the local law enforcement agency.

The suspect allegedly dodged all the spike strips deployed on the roadway by police, as seen in footage from above.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath Developments

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

Walters stated on the following day that the minivan was located in Tijuana, Mexico and that she was working with the CHP to retrieve it.

“At the end of the day, I’m not concerned with 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 operated Diana’s House Sober Living since last October, recognizes that the path to recovery from substance abuse and emotional distress is not always linear.

“This represents a psychological and substance abuse emergency,” she said. “We need additional assistance. We need greater resources for those that are struggling.”

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