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A woman previously residing at a women’s sobriety home in California allegedly took a stolen van and led a hours-long police chase culminating with her traveling across the international boundary into Mexico on the start of the week.

Auto Theft Reported from Sober Living Home

As stated in a law enforcement announcement, a second woman, the owner of the vehicle, forty-five years old, notified authorities that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was missing, along with her car key. The owner, who manages two female recovery residences, named the alleged thief 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 arrived just as it was happening,” Walters stated, noting that the minivan is designated for the facility’s daily operations.

High-Speed Pursuit Develops Across Multiple Counties

Authorities tracked the van about 12 miles north in Simi Valley, where they tried to initiate a traffic stop, but Wilson refused to stop and accelerated rapidly. She reached speeds of about 90mph on the State Route 118 until the chase continued into Los Angeles county. At that juncture, Ventura county authorities transferred the operation to the CHP once the driver entered 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,” commented a public information officer from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

The suspect reportedly avoided all the tire-deflation devices deployed on the road by authorities, as seen in aerial videos.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath Developments

The chase finally arrived at the US-Mexico border by early afternoon, prompting the highway patrol to end its pursuit due to jurisdictional constraints.

Walters indicated on Tuesday that the vehicle was situated in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was coordinating with the CHP to retrieve it.

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

Insight from the Facility Operator

Walters, who has run Diana’s House Sober Living since last October, acknowledges that the path to recovery from substance abuse and emotional distress is not always linear.

“This is a mental health and substance abuse crisis,” Walters emphasized. “There is a need for more support. We need greater resources for those that are struggling.”

“Recovery can be messy,” Walters concluded.