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A female individual previously residing 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 international boundary into the nation of Mexico on the start of the week.

Vehicle Theft Discovered from Recovery Residence

According to a police statement, a another female, the owner of the vehicle, 45, notified authorities 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, located approximately an hour’s drive of LA.

“The keys were taken from my house manager’s purse. I arrived right when it was happening,” Walters stated, noting that the vehicle is designated for the sobriety home’s tasks.

Dramatic Chase Develops Across Multiple Counties

Officials tracked the stolen vehicle about 12 miles north in Simi Valley, where they tried to initiate a traffic stop, but Wilson refused to stop and accelerated rapidly. She attained speeds of about 90mph on the 118 freeway until the chase proceeded into Los Angeles county. At that point, local sheriff’s deputies transferred the pursuit to the CHP once the driver merged onto the Interstate 405 traveling southbound.

“This incident is very unique in the context of the traffic conditions enabling drivers to continue to remain on the highway and extend this chase,” said a public information officer from the local law enforcement agency.

The suspect reportedly dodged all the spike strips tossed on the road by authorities, as documented in footage from above.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath

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

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

“At the end of the day, I’m not worried about the car,” Walters said. “I’m more at ease aware she wasn’t hurt. The minivan is replaceable.”

Owner’s Perspective

The sober living home owner, who has run Diana’s House Sober Living since October 2024, acknowledges that the journey toward sobriety from substance abuse and trauma is not always linear.

“This is a mental health and substance abuse emergency,” she said. “We need additional assistance. We need more resources for those that are struggling.”

“Recovery isn’t always pretty,” Walters concluded.