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A woman formerly staying at a female recovery facility in the state of California allegedly took a stolen van and led a prolonged police chase culminating with her traveling across the international boundary into Mexico on Monday.

Vehicle Theft Discovered from Sober Living Home

As stated in a law enforcement statement, a another female, Nicolle Walters, 45, reported that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was missing, along with her vehicle key. Walters, who manages two female recovery residences, named the suspect as one of the residents at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, situated approximately an hour’s drive of LA.

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

High-Speed Pursuit Unfolds Across Several Regions

Authorities located the van about 19 kilometers to the north in a nearby city, where they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect did not comply and accelerated rapidly. She attained speeds of about 90mph on the 118 freeway until the pursuit continued into Los Angeles county. At that juncture, Ventura county authorities transferred the operation to the CHP once Wilson merged onto the Interstate 405 heading south.

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

Wilson allegedly dodged all the tire-deflation devices tossed on the road by authorities, as documented in aerial videos.

International Getaway and Aftermath

The pursuit eventually reached the international border by 1.30pm, leading to the CHP to end its pursuit due to legal limitations.

The vehicle owner 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 more at ease aware she was not injured. The car is replaceable.”

Owner’s Perspective

Walters, who has run the recovery residence since October 2024, recognizes that the journey toward sobriety from substance abuse and trauma is often non-linear.

“This represents a mental health and addiction crisis,” Walters emphasized. “We need more support. We need greater resources for those that are struggling.”

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