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A woman formerly staying at a women’s sobriety home in California reportedly took a stolen van and engaged in a prolonged police chase ending with her traveling across the international boundary into Mexico on Monday.

Auto Theft Reported from Sober Living Home

As stated in a police announcement, a another female, Nicolle Walters, forty-five years old, notified authorities that her gray minivan from 2004 was missing, along with her vehicle key. The owner, who manages two female recovery residences, identified the alleged thief as one of the residents at Diana’s House Sober Living, located approximately 60 minutes north-west of LA.

“The keys were taken out of my house manager’s purse. I happened to pull up just as it was happening,” she said, adding that the minivan is used for the facility’s daily operations.

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Multiple Counties

Authorities tracked the stolen vehicle about 12 miles north in a nearby city, where they tried to initiate a traffic stop, but Wilson did not comply and sped away. She attained speeds of about 90mph on the State Route 118 until the chase continued into LA County. At that point, Ventura county authorities handed over the operation to the CHP once the driver merged onto the Interstate 405 traveling southbound.

“This incident is particularly unusual in the sense of the traffic conditions allowing drivers to continue to remain on the freeway and prolong this pursuit,” said a public information officer from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

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

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath Developments

The pursuit finally arrived at the US-Mexico border by 1.30pm, prompting the CHP to terminate the chase due to legal limitations.

Walters stated on the following day that the vehicle was located in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was coordinating with the CHP to retrieve it.

“At the end of the day, I’m not concerned with the car,” she said. “I’m relieved knowing she wasn’t hurt. The car is easily substituted.”

Owner’s Perspective

Walters, who has run the recovery residence since October 2024, recognizes that the path to recovery from substance abuse and trauma is often non-linear.

“This is a psychological and substance abuse crisis,” Walters emphasized. “There is a need for additional assistance. It is essential to provide more resources for those that are struggling.”

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