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A female individual previously residing at a female recovery facility in California allegedly took a stolen van and led a hours-long police chase culminating with her traveling across the international boundary into the nation of Mexico on Monday.

Auto Theft Discovered from Sober Living Home

According to a police statement, a another female, Nicolle Walters, forty-five years old, notified authorities that her gray minivan from 2004 was stolen, along with her car key. The owner, 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.

“The keys were taken from my manager’s handbag. I arrived just as it was happening,” Walters stated, noting that the minivan is designated for the sobriety home’s tasks.

High-Speed Pursuit Unfolds Across Multiple Counties

Officials tracked the stolen vehicle about 19 kilometers north in Simi Valley, 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 pursuit proceeded into LA County. At that juncture, local sheriff’s deputies transferred the operation to the California highway patrol once the driver merged onto the Interstate 405 traveling southbound.

“This one is very unique in the context of the road situation allowing individuals to continue to remain on the freeway and extend this chase,” commented a spokesperson from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

The suspect reportedly dodged all the spike strips deployed on the road by authorities, as documented in aerial videos.

International Getaway and Aftermath

The chase finally arrived at the US-Mexico border by early afternoon, leading to the highway patrol to terminate the chase due to jurisdictional constraints.

Walters stated on the following day that the vehicle was situated in Tijuana, Mexico and that she was working with the CHP to retrieve it.

“Ultimately, I’m not worried about the vehicle,” she said. “I’m relieved knowing she was not injured. The car is replaceable.”

Owner’s Perspective

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

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

“Recovery can be messy,” she added.