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A woman formerly staying at a women’s sobriety home in California allegedly took a stolen van and led a prolonged law enforcement pursuit ending with her traveling across the international boundary into Mexico on Monday.

Auto Theft Discovered from Sober Living Home

As stated in a law enforcement announcement, a another female, Nicolle Walters, 45, notified authorities that her gray minivan from 2004 was missing, along with her car key. Walters, who operates two women’s sober living homes, named the suspect as Alyssa Wilson at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, located approximately 60 minutes north-west of Los Angeles.

“My keys were taken out of my house manager’s purse. I happened to pull up just as it was occurring,” Walters stated, noting that the minivan is used for the sobriety home’s tasks.

High-Speed Pursuit Unfolds Across Several Regions

Officials tracked the van about 12 miles to the north in Simi Valley, where they tried 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 chase proceeded into LA County. At that juncture, local sheriff’s deputies handed over the operation to the CHP once the driver merged onto the Interstate 405 traveling southbound.

“This incident is particularly unusual in the context of the road situation enabling individuals to continue to remain on the highway and prolong this pursuit,” said a spokesperson from the local law enforcement agency.

Wilson allegedly dodged all the tire-deflation devices deployed on the roadway by police, as seen in aerial videos.

International Getaway and Aftermath Developments

The chase 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 located in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was coordinating with the CHP to recover the vehicle.

“At the end of the day, I’m not concerned with the car,” she said. “I’m more at ease knowing she wasn’t hurt. The car is replaceable.”

Owner’s Perspective

Walters, who has operated the recovery residence since last October, acknowledges that the journey toward sobriety from addiction and trauma is not always linear.

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

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