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A woman previously residing at a women’s sobriety home in the state of California allegedly took a stolen van and led a hours-long law enforcement pursuit culminating with her traveling across the international boundary into the nation of Mexico on the start of the week.

Vehicle Theft Reported from Sober Living Home

As stated in a police statement, a another female, Nicolle Walters, forty-five years old, notified authorities that her gray minivan from 2004 was stolen, along with her car key. Walters, who manages two women’s sober living homes, identified the alleged thief as Alyssa Wilson at Diana’s House Sober Living, located approximately 60 minutes north-west of Los Angeles.

“My keys were taken from my house manager’s purse. I arrived just as it was happening,” Walters stated, noting that the minivan is used for the facility’s daily operations.

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Several Regions

Authorities located the stolen vehicle about 12 miles north in Simi Valley, where they tried to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect refused to stop and sped away. She attained 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 California highway patrol once the driver entered the Interstate 405 traveling southbound.

“This incident is particularly unusual in the sense of the traffic conditions allowing individuals to persist on the freeway and prolong this pursuit,” said a spokesperson from the local law enforcement agency.

Wilson reportedly dodged all the spike strips tossed on the road by police, as documented in aerial videos.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath

The pursuit eventually reached the US-Mexico border by early afternoon, prompting the CHP to end its pursuit due to legal limitations.

Walters stated on Tuesday that the minivan was situated in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was working with the authorities to retrieve it.

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

Owner’s Perspective

The sober living home owner, who has operated the recovery residence since October 2024, acknowledges that the path to recovery from addiction and trauma is not always linear.

“This is a psychological and addiction crisis,” Walters emphasized. “We need more support. We need greater resources for those that are facing challenges.”

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