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A woman previously residing at a women’s sobriety home in California allegedly took a stolen van and led a prolonged law enforcement pursuit ending with her traveling across the border into the nation of Mexico on the start of the week.

Vehicle Theft Discovered 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 missing, along with her car key. The owner, who operates two women’s sober living homes, identified the alleged thief as one of the residents at Diana’s House Sober Living, located approximately 60 minutes north-west of LA.

“My keys were stolen from my house manager’s purse. I happened to pull up just as it was happening,” she said, noting that the minivan is designated for the sobriety home’s tasks.

Dramatic Chase Develops Across Several Regions

Officials tracked the van about 12 miles north in a nearby city, where they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Wilson refused to stop and sped away. She reached speeds of about 90mph on the 118 freeway until the chase proceeded into LA County. At that juncture, local sheriff’s deputies transferred the pursuit to the CHP once the driver merged onto the Interstate 405 traveling southbound.

“This one is very unique in the context of the road situation allowing individuals to persist on the highway and prolong this chase,” said a public information officer from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

Wilson allegedly dodged all the tire-deflation devices tossed on the roadway by authorities, as seen in footage from above.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath Developments

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

Walters stated on the following day that the minivan was situated in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was working with the CHP to recover the vehicle.

“Ultimately, I’m not concerned with the car,” Walters said. “I’m more at ease knowing she was not injured. The minivan is easily substituted.”

Insight from the Facility Operator

Walters, who has operated Diana’s House Sober Living since October 2024, recognizes that the path to recovery from substance abuse and emotional distress is not always linear.

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

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