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

Vehicle Theft Reported from Recovery Residence

As stated in a police statement, a another female, Nicolle Walters, 45, notified authorities that her gray minivan from 2004 was stolen, along with her vehicle key. Walters, who operates two women’s sober living homes, named the alleged thief as one of the residents at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, situated approximately 60 minutes north-west of Los Angeles.

“My keys were stolen from my house manager’s purse. I arrived right when it was occurring,” Walters stated, noting that the vehicle is designated for the sobriety home’s tasks.

Dramatic Chase Develops Across Multiple Counties

Officials located the van about 19 kilometers north in Simi Valley, where they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Wilson did not comply and accelerated rapidly. She reached speeds of about 90mph on the 118 freeway until the chase proceeded into LA County. At that point, Ventura county authorities transferred the operation to the California highway patrol once Wilson entered the Interstate 405 heading south.

“This incident is particularly unusual in the context of the traffic conditions enabling drivers to continue to remain on the highway and extend this pursuit,” said a spokesperson from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

The suspect reportedly dodged all the tire-deflation devices deployed on the road by authorities, as documented in aerial videos.

International Getaway and Aftermath

The chase eventually reached the international border by 1.30pm, prompting the CHP to terminate the chase due to legal limitations.

The vehicle owner indicated on Tuesday that the minivan was situated in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was working with the authorities to recover the vehicle.

“Ultimately, I’m not worried about the vehicle,” she remarked. “I’m relieved knowing she wasn’t hurt. The car is easily substituted.”

Owner’s Perspective

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

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

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