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A woman previously residing at a female recovery facility in the state of California reportedly took a stolen van and led a hours-long law enforcement pursuit culminating with her traveling across the border into Mexico on Monday.

Vehicle Theft Discovered from Recovery Residence

As stated in a law enforcement announcement, a another female, the owner of the vehicle, forty-five years old, notified authorities that her gray minivan from 2004 was missing, along with her vehicle key. Walters, who manages two female recovery residences, identified the alleged thief as Alyssa Wilson at Diana’s House Sober Living, located approximately 60 minutes north-west of Los Angeles.

“My keys were stolen from my house manager’s purse. I happened to pull up right when it was happening,” Walters stated, noting that the vehicle is designated for the facility’s daily operations.

High-Speed Pursuit Develops Across Several Regions

Officials tracked the van about 12 miles north in Simi Valley, where they attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the suspect did not comply and sped away. She reached speeds of about 145km/h on the State Route 118 until the pursuit proceeded into Los Angeles county. At that point, local sheriff’s deputies handed over the pursuit to the California highway patrol once the driver entered the 405 freeway traveling southbound.

“This one is very unique in the sense of the road situation enabling individuals to persist on the freeway and prolong this pursuit,” said a spokesperson from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

Wilson reportedly dodged all the tire-deflation devices deployed on the roadway by police, as documented in footage from above.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath Developments

The pursuit eventually reached the US-Mexico border by early afternoon, prompting the highway patrol to end its pursuit due to legal limitations.

Walters indicated on Tuesday that the vehicle 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 relieved knowing she was not injured. The car is replaceable.”

Insight from the Facility Operator

The sober living home owner, who has operated the recovery residence since October 2024, acknowledges that the path to recovery from addiction and emotional distress is often non-linear.

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

“Recovery can be messy,” Walters concluded.