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A woman previously residing at a women’s sobriety home in the state of California allegedly stole a minivan and engaged in a hours-long law enforcement pursuit ending with her traveling across the international boundary into Mexico on Monday.

Auto Theft Discovered from Recovery Residence

As stated in a law enforcement statement, a second woman, the owner of the vehicle, forty-five years old, reported that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was missing, along with her car key. Walters, who operates two female recovery residences, identified the suspect as Alyssa Wilson at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, located approximately an hour’s drive of Los Angeles.

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

Dramatic Chase Develops Across Multiple Counties

Authorities located the van about 12 miles north in a nearby city, where they attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the suspect did not comply and sped away. She attained speeds of about 90mph on the 118 freeway until the pursuit proceeded into Los Angeles county. At that juncture, local sheriff’s deputies transferred the pursuit to the California highway patrol once Wilson entered the Interstate 405 heading south.

“This one is particularly unusual in the context of the road situation enabling individuals to continue to remain on the freeway and prolong this chase,” commented a spokesperson from the local law enforcement agency.

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

International Getaway and Aftermath Developments

The chase eventually reached the US-Mexico border by 1.30pm, prompting the CHP to end its pursuit 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.

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

Insight from the Facility Operator

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

“This represents a psychological and addiction emergency,” she said. “There is a need for additional assistance. We need greater resources for those that are facing challenges.”

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