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A female individual formerly staying at a women’s sobriety home in the state of California allegedly took a stolen van and led a hours-long police chase culminating with her traveling across the border into Mexico on the start of the week.

Auto Theft Discovered from Sober Living Home

According to a law enforcement announcement, a another female, the owner of the vehicle, forty-five years old, reported that her gray minivan from 2004 was stolen, along with her vehicle key. The owner, who operates two women’s sober living homes, named the suspect as one of the residents at Diana’s House Sober Living, located approximately 60 minutes north-west of Los Angeles.

“The keys were taken from my house manager’s purse. I arrived right when it was occurring,” Walters stated, adding that the vehicle is designated for the facility’s daily operations.

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Multiple Counties

Officials tracked the stolen vehicle about 19 kilometers to the north in a nearby city, where they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect refused to stop and sped away. She reached speeds of about 145km/h on the State Route 118 until the chase proceeded into LA County. At that point, local sheriff’s deputies transferred the operation to the CHP once the driver merged onto the 405 freeway traveling southbound.

“This one is very unique in the context of the road situation allowing drivers to continue to remain on the highway and extend this chase,” said a public information officer from the local law enforcement agency.

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

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath

The pursuit eventually reached the international border by 1.30pm, leading to the CHP to end its pursuit due to jurisdictional constraints.

Walters indicated on Tuesday that the vehicle was situated in Tijuana, Mexico and that she was working with the CHP to retrieve it.

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

Insight from the Facility Operator

Walters, who has operated Diana’s House Sober Living since last October, acknowledges that the journey toward sobriety from substance abuse and emotional distress is not always linear.

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

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