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A woman formerly staying at a female recovery facility in the state of California reportedly took a stolen van and engaged in a hours-long police chase culminating with her crossing the border into the nation of Mexico on the start of the week.

Auto Theft Discovered from Sober Living Home

According to a police statement, a second woman, Nicolle Walters, 45, notified authorities that her gray minivan from 2004 was missing, along with her car key. Walters, who operates two female recovery residences, identified the alleged thief as one of the residents at Diana’s House Sober Living, situated approximately 60 minutes north-west of Los Angeles.

“The keys were taken out of my manager’s handbag. I arrived just as it was happening,” Walters stated, adding that the minivan is designated for the sobriety home’s tasks.

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Several Regions

Authorities tracked the van about 19 kilometers north in Simi Valley, where they attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the suspect refused to stop and sped away. She reached 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 particularly unusual in the sense of the road situation allowing individuals to persist on the highway and extend this chase,” said a public information officer from the local law enforcement agency.

The suspect allegedly avoided all the tire-deflation devices deployed on the roadway by police, as seen in aerial videos.

International Getaway and Aftermath Developments

The pursuit eventually reached the US-Mexico border by 1.30pm, prompting the highway patrol to end its pursuit due to legal limitations.

The vehicle owner indicated on the following day that the vehicle was located in Tijuana, Mexico and that she was coordinating with the CHP to retrieve it.

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

Insight from the Facility Operator

Walters, who has operated the recovery residence since last October, acknowledges that the journey toward sobriety from addiction and trauma is often non-linear.

“This is a psychological and substance abuse emergency,” Walters emphasized. “We need additional assistance. We need greater resources for those that are struggling.”

“Recovery isn’t always pretty,” Walters concluded.