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A female individual previously residing at a female recovery facility in California allegedly stole a minivan and led a hours-long police chase ending with her crossing the international boundary into Mexico on Monday.

Vehicle Theft Discovered from Recovery Residence

As stated in a law enforcement statement, a another female, the owner of the vehicle, forty-five years old, notified authorities that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was missing, along with her car key. The owner, who manages two female recovery residences, identified the suspect as Alyssa Wilson at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, located approximately an hour’s drive of Los Angeles.

“My keys were stolen out of my manager’s handbag. I happened to pull up just as it was occurring,” Walters stated, noting that the vehicle is used for the facility’s daily operations.

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Several Regions

Authorities located the van about 12 miles to the north in a nearby city, where they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Wilson did not comply and accelerated rapidly. She attained speeds of about 90mph on the State Route 118 until the pursuit proceeded into LA County. At that juncture, local sheriff’s deputies transferred the pursuit to the California highway patrol once the driver merged onto the 405 freeway traveling southbound.

“This one is particularly unusual in the context of the traffic conditions allowing individuals to persist on the freeway and prolong this pursuit,” said a public information officer from the local law enforcement agency.

Wilson reportedly avoided all the spike strips deployed on the road by police, as documented in aerial videos.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath Developments

The pursuit finally arrived at the international border by 1.30pm, leading to the CHP to end its pursuit due to legal limitations.

Walters indicated on the following day that the minivan was situated in Tijuana, Mexico and that she was coordinating with the authorities to recover the vehicle.

“Ultimately, I’m not concerned with the vehicle,” Walters remarked. “I’m relieved knowing she was not injured. The car is easily substituted.”

Insight from the Facility Operator

The sober living home owner, who has operated the recovery residence since October 2024, recognizes that the journey toward sobriety from addiction and trauma is often non-linear.

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

“The recovery process can be messy,” she added.