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A female individual formerly staying at a female recovery facility in California allegedly stole a minivan and engaged in a hours-long police chase culminating with her traveling across the border into the nation of Mexico on the start of the week.

Vehicle Theft Discovered from Sober Living Home

According to a police statement, a another female, Nicolle Walters, forty-five years old, notified authorities that her gray minivan from 2004 was missing, along with her vehicle key. Walters, who operates two female recovery residences, identified the alleged thief as one of the residents at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, located approximately 60 minutes north-west of LA.

“My keys were taken out of my manager’s handbag. I arrived right when it was happening,” Walters stated, noting that the minivan is designated for the sobriety home’s tasks.

Dramatic Chase Develops Across Several Regions

Authorities located the van about 12 miles to the north in a nearby city, where they tried to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect refused to stop and accelerated rapidly. She attained speeds of about 90mph on the State Route 118 until the pursuit proceeded into Los Angeles county. At that juncture, Ventura county authorities transferred the operation to the CHP once Wilson entered the 405 freeway traveling southbound.

“This one is particularly unusual in the context of the road situation enabling drivers to continue to remain on the freeway and prolong this chase,” said a spokesperson from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

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

International Getaway and Aftermath

The pursuit eventually reached the international border by early afternoon, prompting the CHP to terminate the chase due to jurisdictional constraints.

The vehicle owner indicated on the following day that the minivan was located in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was working with the CHP to recover the vehicle.

“At the end of the day, I’m not concerned with the car,” Walters said. “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 last October, recognizes that the journey toward sobriety from substance abuse and emotional distress is not always linear.

“This is a psychological and substance abuse emergency,” she said. “We need additional assistance. It is essential to provide greater resources for those that are facing challenges.”

“Recovery can be messy,” Walters concluded.