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A woman previously residing at a women’s sobriety home in the state of California reportedly stole a minivan and led a hours-long law enforcement pursuit culminating with her crossing the border into the nation of Mexico on Monday.

Vehicle Theft Discovered from Recovery Residence

According to a law enforcement statement, a another female, Nicolle Walters, forty-five years old, notified authorities that her gray minivan from 2004 was stolen, along with her vehicle key. The owner, who manages two women’s sober living homes, identified 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 taken from my manager’s handbag. I arrived just as it was occurring,” Walters stated, noting that the vehicle is designated for the facility’s daily operations.

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Multiple Counties

Authorities located the stolen vehicle about 19 kilometers to the north in Simi Valley, where they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect refused to stop and accelerated rapidly. She reached speeds of about 145km/h on the State Route 118 until the chase proceeded into Los Angeles county. At that juncture, Ventura county authorities transferred the pursuit to the CHP once Wilson merged onto the Interstate 405 heading south.

“This incident is particularly unusual in the context of the road situation allowing drivers to continue to remain on the freeway and extend this pursuit,” said a public information officer from the local law enforcement agency.

The suspect reportedly avoided all the tire-deflation devices tossed on the road by police, as seen in footage from above.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath

The pursuit finally arrived at the international border by 1.30pm, prompting the CHP to end its pursuit due to legal limitations.

Walters indicated on the following day that the vehicle was located in Tijuana, Mexico and that she was working with the CHP to recover the vehicle.

“Ultimately, I’m not worried about the vehicle,” Walters remarked. “I’m relieved aware she wasn’t hurt. The car is easily substituted.”

Insight from the Facility Operator

The sober living home owner, who has operated Diana’s House Sober Living since last October, recognizes that the path to recovery from addiction and trauma is often non-linear.

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

“Recovery can be messy,” Walters concluded.