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A woman previously residing at a women’s sobriety home in California reportedly stole a minivan and led a hours-long police chase ending with her crossing the border into Mexico on Monday.

Vehicle Theft Discovered from Recovery Residence

As stated in a law enforcement statement, a another female, the owner of the vehicle, forty-five years old, reported that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was missing, along with her car key. Walters, who manages two women’s sober living homes, identified the suspect as one of the residents at Diana’s House Sober Living, situated approximately 60 minutes north-west of Los Angeles.

“My keys were stolen out of my manager’s handbag. I happened to pull up just as it was happening,” she said, noting that the minivan is designated for the sobriety home’s tasks.

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Multiple Counties

Authorities located the van about 19 kilometers north in Simi Valley, where they tried to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect refused to stop and sped away. She attained speeds of about 90mph on the 118 freeway until the chase proceeded into LA County. At that point, local sheriff’s deputies handed over the operation to the CHP once Wilson merged onto the Interstate 405 traveling southbound.

“This one is particularly unusual in the sense of the road situation allowing drivers to persist on the freeway and prolong this chase,” said a public information officer from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

Wilson reportedly dodged all the tire-deflation devices deployed on the roadway by authorities, as seen in aerial videos.

International Getaway and Aftermath Developments

The chase finally arrived at the international border by early afternoon, leading to the CHP to terminate the chase due to jurisdictional constraints.

The vehicle owner indicated on the following day that the vehicle was situated in Tijuana, Mexico and that she was working with the authorities to retrieve it.

“Ultimately, I’m not concerned with the vehicle,” she remarked. “I’m relieved aware she was not injured. The car is replaceable.”

Insight from the Facility Operator

The sober living home owner, who has run the recovery residence since October 2024, acknowledges that the path to recovery from substance abuse and emotional distress is not always linear.

“This represents a psychological and substance abuse crisis,” she said. “There is a need for more support. We need greater resources for those that are struggling.”

“The recovery process isn’t always pretty,” Walters concluded.