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A female individual previously residing at a female recovery facility in the state of California allegedly took a stolen van and engaged in a hours-long law enforcement pursuit ending with her traveling across the border into the nation of Mexico on the start of the week.

Auto Theft Reported from Sober Living Home

According to a law enforcement statement, a second woman, Nicolle Walters, forty-five years old, reported that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was missing, along with her car key. Walters, who operates two women’s sober living homes, named the alleged thief as one of the residents at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, located approximately 60 minutes north-west of LA.

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

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Multiple Counties

Authorities tracked the van about 12 miles north in Simi Valley, where they tried to pull the vehicle over, but Wilson did not comply and sped away. She reached speeds of about 145km/h on the State Route 118 until the pursuit continued into LA County. At that juncture, local sheriff’s deputies handed over the pursuit to the CHP once the driver entered the 405 freeway traveling southbound.

“This incident is particularly unusual in the sense of the road situation enabling drivers to continue to remain on the highway and extend this pursuit,” commented a spokesperson from the local law enforcement agency.

The suspect allegedly avoided all the spike strips deployed on the roadway by police, as seen in aerial videos.

International Getaway and Aftermath

The chase finally arrived at the international border by 1.30pm, leading to the highway patrol to terminate the chase due to legal limitations.

The vehicle owner 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 retrieve it.

“At the end of the day, 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 operated the recovery residence since October 2024, acknowledges that the journey toward sobriety from substance abuse and trauma is often non-linear.

“This is a psychological and addiction emergency,” Walters emphasized. “We need additional assistance. We need greater resources for those that are facing challenges.”

“Recovery can be messy,” she added.