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A female individual previously residing at a women’s sobriety home in California allegedly took a stolen van and engaged in a hours-long police chase culminating with her traveling across the international boundary into the nation of Mexico on Monday.

Auto Theft Reported from Sober Living Home

According to a police statement, a second woman, Nicolle Walters, forty-five years old, reported that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was stolen, along with her car key. Walters, who manages two female recovery residences, named the suspect as Alyssa Wilson at Diana’s House Sober Living, located approximately 60 minutes north-west of Los Angeles.

“The keys were taken out of my manager’s handbag. I happened to pull up right when it was happening,” she said, adding that the minivan is designated for the sobriety home’s tasks.

Dramatic Chase Develops Across Multiple Counties

Authorities tracked the van about 12 miles to the north in a nearby city, where they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Wilson did not comply and sped away. She reached speeds of about 145km/h on the State Route 118 until the chase continued into LA County. At that point, Ventura county authorities transferred the pursuit to the California highway patrol once Wilson merged onto the Interstate 405 traveling southbound.

“This incident is particularly unusual in the sense of the traffic conditions allowing individuals to continue to remain on the highway and extend this pursuit,” said a spokesperson from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

Wilson reportedly dodged all the tire-deflation devices deployed on the roadway by authorities, as seen in footage from above.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath

The chase finally arrived at the international border by early afternoon, leading to the highway patrol to terminate the chase due to legal limitations.

The vehicle owner stated on the following day that the vehicle was located in Tijuana, Mexico and that she was working with the CHP to recover the vehicle.

“Ultimately, I’m not concerned with the car,” she said. “I’m relieved aware she was not injured. The minivan is easily substituted.”

Owner’s Perspective

The sober living home owner, who has operated the recovery residence since last October, acknowledges that the journey toward sobriety from addiction and trauma is often non-linear.

“This is a psychological and substance abuse crisis,” Walters emphasized. “There is a need for additional assistance. We need greater resources for those that are facing challenges.”

“The recovery process isn’t always pretty,” Walters concluded.