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A woman formerly staying at a female recovery facility in California allegedly took a stolen van and led a hours-long law enforcement pursuit culminating with her traveling across the border into the nation of Mexico on the start of the week.

Vehicle Theft Reported from Sober Living Home

As stated in a police statement, a second woman, Nicolle Walters, 45, notified authorities that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was missing, along with her vehicle key. Walters, who manages two women’s sober living homes, identified the suspect as one of the residents at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, situated approximately 60 minutes north-west of LA.

“The keys were taken from my house manager’s purse. I arrived just as it was occurring,” Walters stated, noting that the vehicle is designated for the facility’s daily operations.

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Multiple Counties

Officials located the van about 19 kilometers to the north in a nearby city, where they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect refused to stop and accelerated rapidly. She reached speeds of about 90mph on the 118 freeway until the pursuit continued into LA County. At that point, local sheriff’s deputies handed over the pursuit to the California highway patrol once the driver entered the 405 freeway traveling southbound.

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

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

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath

The chase eventually reached 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 vehicle was located in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was working with the CHP to recover the vehicle.

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

Owner’s Perspective

The sober living home owner, who has run Diana’s House Sober Living since last October, recognizes that the path to recovery from substance abuse and trauma is often non-linear.

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

“Recovery can be messy,” Walters concluded.