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A female individual previously residing at a women’s sobriety home in California allegedly stole a minivan and engaged in a hours-long police chase culminating with her traveling across the international boundary into Mexico on Monday.

Vehicle Theft Reported from Recovery Residence

According to a law enforcement announcement, a second woman, Nicolle Walters, forty-five years old, notified authorities that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was stolen, along with her vehicle key. Walters, who manages two female recovery residences, identified the suspect as Alyssa Wilson at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, situated approximately an hour’s drive of Los Angeles.

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

High-Speed Pursuit Develops Across Multiple Counties

Officials located the van about 19 kilometers north in Simi Valley, where they tried to initiate a traffic stop, but Wilson did not comply and accelerated rapidly. She reached speeds of about 145km/h on the State Route 118 until the pursuit proceeded into LA County. At that juncture, local sheriff’s deputies transferred the pursuit to the CHP once Wilson merged onto the 405 freeway traveling southbound.

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

The suspect reportedly dodged all the spike strips tossed on the road by police, as seen in aerial videos.

International Getaway and Aftermath

The chase eventually reached the US-Mexico border by early afternoon, prompting the highway patrol to end its pursuit due to jurisdictional constraints.

Walters indicated on the following day that the minivan was situated in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was coordinating with the CHP to retrieve it.

“Ultimately, I’m not concerned with the vehicle,” she said. “I’m more at ease aware she wasn’t hurt. The car is replaceable.”

Owner’s Perspective

Walters, who has run the recovery residence since October 2024, acknowledges that the journey toward sobriety from substance abuse and emotional distress is not always linear.

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

“Recovery can be messy,” Walters concluded.