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A woman formerly staying at a women’s sobriety home in the state of California allegedly stole a minivan and led a hours-long 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, the owner of the vehicle, forty-five years old, notified authorities that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was stolen, along with her vehicle key. The owner, 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 an hour’s drive of LA.

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

Dramatic Chase Develops Across Several Regions

Officials located the van about 12 miles to the north in Simi Valley, where they tried to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect did not comply and accelerated rapidly. She attained speeds of about 145km/h on the State Route 118 until the pursuit proceeded into Los Angeles county. At that juncture, Ventura county authorities transferred the pursuit to the California highway patrol once Wilson entered the Interstate 405 traveling southbound.

“This incident is very unique in the context of the traffic conditions allowing drivers to persist on the highway and prolong this pursuit,” said a public information officer from the local law enforcement agency.

The suspect reportedly dodged all the tire-deflation devices deployed on the road by authorities, as documented in footage from above.

International Getaway and Aftermath

The chase finally arrived at the US-Mexico border by early afternoon, prompting the highway patrol to end its pursuit due to legal limitations.

The vehicle owner indicated on the following day that the minivan was situated in Tijuana, Mexico and that she was working with the CHP to retrieve it.

“At the end of the day, I’m not concerned with the car,” she remarked. “I’m more at ease knowing she wasn’t hurt. The car is easily substituted.”

Owner’s Perspective

Walters, who has run Diana’s House Sober Living since last October, recognizes that the journey toward sobriety from substance abuse and trauma is often non-linear.

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

“The recovery process isn’t always pretty,” she added.