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A female individual previously residing at a female recovery facility in California allegedly stole a minivan and led a hours-long police chase ending with her crossing the border into Mexico on the start of the week.

Vehicle Theft Reported from Recovery Residence

As stated in a law enforcement announcement, a another female, the owner of the vehicle, 45, notified authorities that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was missing, along with her car key. The owner, who manages two female recovery residences, identified the alleged thief as one of the residents at Diana’s House Sober Living, situated approximately an hour’s drive of Los Angeles.

“The keys were stolen out of my house manager’s purse. I happened to pull up just as it was occurring,” she said, adding that the vehicle is designated for the facility’s daily operations.

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Several Regions

Officials tracked the van about 19 kilometers north in a nearby city, 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 point, Ventura county authorities handed over the operation to the CHP once Wilson merged onto the Interstate 405 traveling southbound.

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

Wilson reportedly dodged all the spike strips deployed on the roadway by authorities, as seen in footage from above.

International Getaway and Aftermath

The pursuit finally arrived at the international border by early afternoon, leading to the highway patrol to end its pursuit due to jurisdictional constraints.

The vehicle owner indicated on Tuesday that the vehicle was situated in Tijuana, Mexico and that she was coordinating with the CHP to retrieve it.

“Ultimately, I’m not worried about the vehicle,” Walters said. “I’m relieved knowing she was not injured. 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 path to recovery from substance abuse and trauma is often non-linear.

“This represents a psychological and substance abuse crisis,” she said. “There is a need for additional assistance. It is essential to provide greater resources for those that are facing challenges.”

“Recovery can be messy,” Walters concluded.