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A woman formerly staying at a women’s sobriety home in California reportedly stole a minivan and engaged in a hours-long police chase culminating with her crossing the international boundary into Mexico on Monday.

Vehicle Theft Reported from Recovery Residence

According to a police announcement, a another female, the owner of the vehicle, forty-five years old, reported that her gray minivan from 2004 was stolen, along with her vehicle key. The owner, who operates two female recovery residences, named the suspect as one of the residents at Diana’s House Sober Living, located approximately an hour’s drive of Los Angeles.

“My keys were stolen from my manager’s handbag. I happened to pull up right when it was happening,” Walters stated, noting that the minivan is designated for the sobriety home’s tasks.

High-Speed Pursuit Unfolds Across Several Regions

Officials tracked the stolen vehicle about 19 kilometers north in Simi Valley, where they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Wilson did not comply and sped away. She attained speeds of about 90mph on the 118 freeway until the chase continued into LA County. At that juncture, local sheriff’s deputies transferred the operation to the California highway patrol once the driver entered the Interstate 405 traveling southbound.

“This one is very unique in the sense of the road situation enabling individuals to persist on the freeway and prolong this pursuit,” said a spokesperson from the local law enforcement agency.

The suspect allegedly dodged all the tire-deflation devices tossed on the road by police, as documented in aerial videos.

International Getaway and Aftermath

The chase eventually reached the US-Mexico border by early afternoon, leading to the highway patrol to terminate the chase due to legal limitations.

Walters stated on the following day that the vehicle was located in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was working with the authorities to recover the vehicle.

“Ultimately, I’m not worried about the vehicle,” she said. “I’m relieved knowing she was not injured. The minivan is easily substituted.”

Owner’s Perspective

The sober living home owner, who has run Diana’s House Sober Living since October 2024, recognizes that the journey toward sobriety from addiction and emotional distress is not always linear.

“This is a mental health and substance abuse emergency,” she said. “There is a need for more support. We need more resources for those that are struggling.”

“The recovery process can be messy,” Walters concluded.