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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 prolonged police chase culminating with her crossing the border into the nation of Mexico on the start of the week.

Vehicle Theft Discovered from Sober Living Home

According to a police statement, a another female, the owner of the vehicle, 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 a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, located approximately an hour’s drive of Los Angeles.

“My keys were taken out of my house manager’s purse. I arrived right when it was happening,” Walters stated, adding that the vehicle is used for the facility’s daily operations.

High-Speed Pursuit Unfolds Across Several Regions

Authorities tracked the van about 12 miles north in a nearby city, where they tried to pull the vehicle over, but the suspect refused to stop and sped away. She attained speeds of about 145km/h on the 118 freeway until the pursuit proceeded into LA County. At that juncture, Ventura county authorities transferred the operation to the CHP once the driver merged onto the Interstate 405 traveling southbound.

“This one is very unique in the context of the road situation enabling individuals to continue to remain on the highway and extend this pursuit,” said a public information officer from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

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

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath

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

Walters indicated on the following day that the vehicle was situated in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was coordinating with the CHP to recover the vehicle.

“Ultimately, I’m not worried about the vehicle,” she said. “I’m more at ease aware she wasn’t hurt. The minivan is replaceable.”

Owner’s Perspective

The sober living home owner, who has run Diana’s House Sober Living since October 2024, recognizes that the journey toward sobriety from addiction and trauma is often non-linear.

“This represents a psychological and addiction crisis,” Walters emphasized. “There is a need for additional assistance. We need greater resources for those that are struggling.”

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