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A female individual previously residing at a women’s sobriety home in the state of California reportedly took a stolen van and led a prolonged police chase ending with her crossing the international boundary into the nation of Mexico on Monday.

Auto Theft Discovered from Recovery Residence

As stated in a police statement, a second woman, the owner of the vehicle, 45, notified authorities that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was stolen, along with her car key. Walters, who manages two women’s sober living homes, named the suspect as one of the residents at Diana’s House Sober Living, located approximately 60 minutes north-west of LA.

“My keys were taken out of my house manager’s purse. I arrived just as it was happening,” she said, noting that the vehicle is used for the sobriety home’s tasks.

High-Speed Pursuit Unfolds Across Several Regions

Officials located the stolen vehicle about 12 miles to the north in a nearby city, where they tried to initiate a traffic stop, but Wilson refused to stop and sped away. She attained speeds of about 145km/h on the 118 freeway until the chase proceeded into Los Angeles county. At that juncture, local sheriff’s deputies handed over the operation to the CHP once the driver entered the 405 freeway traveling southbound.

“This one is very unique in the context of the road situation enabling drivers to continue to remain on the freeway and extend this chase,” said a public information officer from the local law enforcement agency.

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

International Getaway and Aftermath Developments

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

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

“At the end of the day, I’m not worried about the vehicle,” Walters said. “I’m relieved aware she wasn’t hurt. The car is easily substituted.”

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 addiction and trauma is often non-linear.

“This represents a psychological and substance abuse emergency,” she said. “There is a need for more support. It is essential to provide more resources for those that are struggling.”

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