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A woman formerly staying at a women’s sobriety home in the state of California allegedly took a stolen van and engaged in a prolonged police chase ending with her traveling across the international boundary into the nation of Mexico on the start of the week.

Vehicle Theft Discovered from Sober Living Home

According to a law enforcement statement, a another female, Nicolle Walters, 45, reported that her gray minivan from 2004 was missing, along with her vehicle key. The owner, who manages two women’s sober living homes, named the suspect as one of the residents at Diana’s House Sober Living, situated approximately an hour’s drive of LA.

“My keys were stolen out of my manager’s handbag. I happened to pull up just as it was happening,” Walters stated, noting that the vehicle is used for the facility’s daily operations.

High-Speed Pursuit Unfolds Across Multiple Counties

Officials located the van about 19 kilometers north in a nearby city, where they tried to pull the vehicle over, but the suspect did not comply and sped away. She reached speeds of about 90mph on the State Route 118 until the pursuit continued into LA County. At that point, local sheriff’s deputies transferred the operation to the CHP once the driver entered the 405 freeway heading south.

“This one is very unique in the sense of the road situation allowing individuals to continue to remain on the highway and prolong this pursuit,” commented a spokesperson from the local law enforcement agency.

Wilson reportedly dodged all the spike strips tossed on the roadway by authorities, as documented in aerial videos.

International Getaway and Aftermath Developments

The chase eventually reached the US-Mexico border by early afternoon, prompting the CHP to terminate the chase due to legal limitations.

The vehicle owner stated on Tuesday that the vehicle was situated in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was coordinating with the authorities to recover the vehicle.

“Ultimately, I’m not concerned with the car,” Walters remarked. “I’m more at ease aware she was not injured. The minivan is easily substituted.”

Insight from the Facility Operator

Walters, who has operated the recovery residence since last October, recognizes that the journey toward sobriety from addiction and trauma is often non-linear.

“This is a psychological and addiction crisis,” she said. “There is a need for more support. We need more resources for those that are facing challenges.”

“Recovery isn’t always pretty,” she added.