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A female individual formerly staying at a women’s sobriety home in California allegedly stole a minivan and engaged in a prolonged police chase culminating with her crossing the border into the nation of Mexico on Monday.

Auto Theft Discovered from Recovery Residence

According to a law enforcement statement, a another female, Nicolle Walters, 45, notified authorities that her gray minivan from 2004 was missing, along with her car key. Walters, who manages two women’s sober living homes, named the alleged thief as Alyssa Wilson at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, situated approximately an hour’s drive of Los Angeles.

“My keys were taken from my house manager’s purse. I arrived just as it was happening,” she said, noting that the minivan is designated for the facility’s daily operations.

Dramatic Chase Develops Across Several Regions

Authorities tracked the van about 19 kilometers north in a nearby city, where they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect refused to stop and sped away. She attained speeds of about 90mph on the State Route 118 until the chase proceeded into Los Angeles county. At that juncture, Ventura county authorities transferred the pursuit to the California highway patrol once Wilson merged onto the Interstate 405 traveling southbound.

“This incident is very unique in the sense of the road situation allowing drivers to continue to remain on the highway and prolong this pursuit,” said a spokesperson from the local law enforcement agency.

Wilson reportedly dodged all the tire-deflation devices deployed on the roadway by police, as documented in aerial videos.

International Getaway and Aftermath

The chase eventually reached the international border by early afternoon, prompting the highway patrol to end its pursuit due to legal limitations.

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

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

Insight from the Facility Operator

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

“This represents a mental health and substance abuse crisis,” she said. “We need more support. We need more resources for those that are struggling.”

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