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A woman formerly staying at a female recovery facility in California allegedly stole a minivan and engaged in a hours-long police chase culminating with her crossing the international boundary into the nation of Mexico on the start of the week.

Auto Theft Reported from Sober Living Home

According to a police announcement, a second woman, the owner of the vehicle, 45, reported that her gray minivan from 2004 was stolen, along with her car key. Walters, who operates two female recovery residences, named the alleged thief as Alyssa Wilson at Diana’s House Sober Living, situated approximately an hour’s drive of Los Angeles.

“My keys were taken out of my manager’s handbag. I arrived just as it was happening,” Walters stated, adding that the minivan is used for the sobriety home’s tasks.

Dramatic Chase Develops Across Multiple Counties

Authorities tracked the van about 12 miles north in a nearby city, where they tried to pull the vehicle over, but the suspect refused to stop and accelerated rapidly. She attained speeds of about 90mph on the State Route 118 until the pursuit continued into Los Angeles county. At that point, Ventura county authorities transferred the pursuit to the CHP once Wilson merged onto the 405 freeway traveling southbound.

“This incident is particularly unusual in the context of the road situation enabling drivers to persist on the highway and prolong this pursuit,” commented a public information officer from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

Wilson allegedly avoided all the tire-deflation devices tossed on the road by authorities, as seen in aerial videos.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath

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

The vehicle owner stated on the following day that the vehicle was located in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was working with the authorities to retrieve it.

“At the end of the day, I’m not concerned with the vehicle,” Walters remarked. “I’m relieved knowing she was not injured. The car is replaceable.”

Owner’s Perspective

Walters, who has run the recovery residence since October 2024, recognizes that the path to recovery from addiction and emotional distress is often non-linear.

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

“Recovery can be messy,” she added.