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A female individual formerly staying at a female recovery facility in California reportedly took a stolen van and led a hours-long police chase culminating with her traveling across the border into Mexico on Monday.

Vehicle Theft Reported from Recovery Residence

According to a police statement, a another female, the owner of the vehicle, 45, reported that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was missing, along with her vehicle key. Walters, who manages two women’s sober living homes, identified the suspect as Alyssa Wilson at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, situated approximately an hour’s drive of Los Angeles.

“My keys were taken from my house manager’s purse. I happened to pull up just as it was occurring,” she said, noting that the minivan is designated for the facility’s daily operations.

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Several Regions

Officials tracked the stolen vehicle about 19 kilometers north in a nearby city, where they tried to initiate a traffic stop, but Wilson did not comply and sped away. She attained speeds of about 90mph on the 118 freeway until the pursuit continued into LA County. At that point, Ventura county authorities transferred the operation to the CHP once the driver entered the Interstate 405 traveling southbound.

“This incident is particularly unusual in the context of the road situation allowing drivers to persist on the highway and prolong this chase,” said a spokesperson from the local law enforcement agency.

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

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath

The pursuit eventually reached the US-Mexico border by early afternoon, leading to the CHP to terminate the chase due to legal limitations.

Walters stated on Tuesday that the vehicle was situated in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was coordinating with the authorities to recover the vehicle.

“Ultimately, I’m not concerned with the car,” she remarked. “I’m relieved knowing she wasn’t hurt. The car is replaceable.”

Owner’s Perspective

The sober living home owner, who has run the recovery residence since October 2024, acknowledges that the path to recovery from addiction and emotional distress is not always linear.

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

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