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A woman previously residing at a women’s sobriety home in California allegedly stole a minivan and engaged in a prolonged law enforcement pursuit ending with her crossing the border into the nation of Mexico on Monday.

Auto Theft Reported from Recovery Residence

According to a law enforcement announcement, a another female, Nicolle Walters, forty-five years old, notified authorities that her gray minivan from 2004 was missing, along with her car key. Walters, who manages two female recovery residences, named the alleged thief as Alyssa Wilson at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, located approximately an hour’s drive of Los Angeles.

“The keys were taken out of my house manager’s purse. I arrived just as it was happening,” Walters stated, adding that the vehicle is designated for the sobriety home’s tasks.

Dramatic Chase Develops Across Several Regions

Authorities located the van about 19 kilometers to the north in Simi Valley, where they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect did not comply and sped away. She reached speeds of about 145km/h on the 118 freeway until the pursuit continued into LA County. At that point, local sheriff’s deputies handed over the pursuit to the CHP once Wilson merged onto the Interstate 405 heading south.

“This incident is particularly unusual in the context of the road situation allowing individuals to continue to remain on the freeway and extend this chase,” commented a public information officer from the local law enforcement agency.

Wilson reportedly dodged all the tire-deflation devices deployed on the roadway by authorities, as documented in aerial videos.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath

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

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

“At the end of the day, I’m not worried about the car,” Walters said. “I’m relieved aware she was not injured. The car is replaceable.”

Owner’s Perspective

Walters, who has operated Diana’s House Sober Living since October 2024, recognizes that the path to recovery from substance abuse and trauma is often non-linear.

“This is a psychological and addiction crisis,” she said. “We need more support. We need greater resources for those that are struggling.”

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