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A woman formerly staying at a female recovery facility in the state of California allegedly took a stolen van and engaged in a prolonged law enforcement pursuit ending with her crossing the international boundary into the nation of Mexico on Monday.

Vehicle Theft Reported from Recovery Residence

As stated in a police announcement, a another female, the owner of the vehicle, 45, reported that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was missing, along with her vehicle key. Walters, who operates two female recovery residences, identified the alleged thief as Alyssa Wilson at Diana’s House Sober Living, located approximately an hour’s drive of LA.

“My keys were taken out of my manager’s handbag. I arrived just as it was occurring,” she said, adding that the vehicle is used for the facility’s daily operations.

Dramatic Chase Develops Across Several Regions

Officials located the van about 19 kilometers to the north in a nearby city, where they tried to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect refused to stop and sped away. She reached speeds of about 145km/h on the State Route 118 until the pursuit proceeded into LA County. At that point, local sheriff’s deputies transferred the pursuit to the California highway patrol once Wilson entered the Interstate 405 heading south.

“This incident is very unique in the context of the traffic conditions enabling drivers to persist on the freeway and extend this chase,” said a spokesperson from the local law enforcement agency.

The suspect allegedly avoided all the spike strips tossed on the road by authorities, as documented in aerial videos.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath Developments

The pursuit finally arrived at the international border by early afternoon, prompting the highway patrol to terminate the chase due to legal limitations.

Walters indicated on the following day 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 concerned with the vehicle,” she 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 run Diana’s House Sober Living since October 2024, recognizes that the path to recovery from substance abuse and trauma is not always linear.

“This is a psychological and substance abuse emergency,” Walters emphasized. “There is a need for more support. It is essential to provide more resources for those that are facing challenges.”

“Recovery can be messy,” Walters concluded.