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A female individual previously residing at a female recovery facility in California reportedly took a stolen van and engaged in a hours-long law enforcement pursuit ending with her crossing the international boundary into Mexico on Monday.

Vehicle Theft Discovered from Recovery Residence

According to a law enforcement announcement, a second woman, the owner of the vehicle, 45, reported that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was stolen, along with her car key. The owner, who operates two female recovery residences, identified the alleged thief as Alyssa Wilson at Diana’s House Sober Living, situated approximately an hour’s drive of LA.

“The keys were stolen out of my house manager’s purse. I arrived right when it was happening,” she said, adding that the minivan is designated for the sobriety home’s tasks.

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Multiple Counties

Officials located the van about 12 miles north in Simi Valley, where they tried to pull the vehicle over, but the suspect refused to stop and sped away. She reached speeds of about 90mph on the 118 freeway until the chase continued into Los Angeles county. At that juncture, local sheriff’s deputies handed over the operation to the California highway patrol once the driver merged onto the Interstate 405 heading south.

“This one is particularly unusual in the context of the road situation enabling individuals to persist on the freeway and extend this chase,” commented a spokesperson from the local law enforcement agency.

The suspect reportedly dodged all the tire-deflation devices tossed on the roadway by police, as seen in aerial videos.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath Developments

The pursuit eventually reached the US-Mexico border by 1.30pm, leading to the highway patrol to terminate the chase due to jurisdictional constraints.

The vehicle owner stated on the following day that the minivan was situated in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was working with the authorities to recover the vehicle.

“Ultimately, I’m not concerned with the car,” Walters remarked. “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 psychological and addiction crisis,” she said. “We need additional assistance. We need more resources for those that are facing challenges.”

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