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A woman formerly staying at a female recovery facility in California allegedly stole a minivan and engaged in a prolonged police chase ending with her crossing the border into the nation of Mexico on Monday.

Auto Theft Reported from Recovery Residence

According to a law enforcement statement, a second woman, Nicolle Walters, forty-five years old, reported that her gray minivan from 2004 was stolen, along with her car key. Walters, who manages two women’s sober living homes, identified the alleged thief as Alyssa Wilson at Diana’s House Sober Living, situated approximately 60 minutes north-west of Los Angeles.

“The keys were stolen from my house manager’s purse. I arrived right when it was occurring,” Walters stated, adding that the minivan is used for the sobriety home’s tasks.

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Multiple Counties

Authorities located the stolen vehicle about 19 kilometers north in Simi Valley, where they attempted to pull the vehicle over, but Wilson did not comply and accelerated rapidly. She reached speeds of about 90mph on the State Route 118 until the chase proceeded into Los Angeles county. At that juncture, Ventura county authorities handed over the operation to the California highway patrol once Wilson entered the Interstate 405 heading south.

“This incident is particularly unusual in the sense of the road situation allowing drivers to continue to remain on the highway and extend this chase,” said a spokesperson from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

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

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath

The pursuit finally arrived at the international border by 1.30pm, prompting the highway patrol to end its pursuit due to legal limitations.

Walters indicated on Tuesday that the vehicle was located in Tijuana, Mexico and that she was working with the authorities to retrieve it.

“Ultimately, I’m not worried about the car,” Walters said. “I’m more at ease aware she was not injured. The car is easily substituted.”

Insight from the Facility Operator

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

“This represents a mental health and substance abuse emergency,” she said. “We need additional assistance. It is essential to provide greater resources for those that are struggling.”

“Recovery can be messy,” she added.