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A woman formerly staying at a women’s sobriety home in the state of California allegedly took a stolen van and led a hours-long law enforcement pursuit ending with her crossing the border into the nation of Mexico on the start of the week.

Auto Theft Reported from Recovery Residence

According to a law enforcement announcement, a another female, the owner of the vehicle, 45, notified authorities that her gray minivan from 2004 was stolen, along with her car key. Walters, who operates two women’s sober living homes, identified the suspect as one of the residents at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, located approximately 60 minutes north-west of LA.

“The keys were stolen out of my manager’s handbag. I arrived right when it was happening,” she said, noting that the minivan is used for the sobriety home’s tasks.

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Several Regions

Officials located the stolen vehicle about 12 miles to the north in a nearby city, where they attempted 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 continued into Los Angeles county. At that point, local sheriff’s deputies transferred the pursuit to the California highway patrol once the driver entered the Interstate 405 traveling southbound.

“This incident is very unique in the sense of the road situation allowing individuals to continue to remain on the highway and extend this chase,” said a public information officer from the local law enforcement agency.

Wilson allegedly avoided all the spike strips tossed on the roadway by authorities, as documented in footage from above.

International Getaway and Aftermath Developments

The chase finally arrived at the international border by 1.30pm, prompting the CHP to terminate the chase due to legal limitations.

Walters indicated on the following day that the minivan was situated in Tijuana, Mexico and that she was coordinating with the CHP to retrieve it.

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

Owner’s Perspective

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

“This is a mental health and substance abuse emergency,” Walters emphasized. “There is a need for additional assistance. It is essential to provide greater resources for those that are struggling.”

“Recovery isn’t always pretty,” Walters concluded.