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A woman previously residing at a female recovery facility in California allegedly stole a minivan and engaged in a prolonged police chase ending with her traveling across the international boundary into Mexico on the start of the week.

Auto Theft Discovered from Recovery Residence

According to a law enforcement announcement, a second woman, the owner of the vehicle, 45, notified authorities that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was stolen, along with her car key. Walters, who operates two female recovery residences, identified the suspect as Alyssa Wilson at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, located approximately 60 minutes north-west of Los Angeles.

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

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Several Regions

Officials located the stolen vehicle about 19 kilometers to the north in a nearby city, where they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect refused to stop and sped away. 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 merged onto the 405 freeway heading south.

“This incident is very unique in the sense of the road situation allowing individuals to persist on the freeway and extend this pursuit,” commented a public information officer from the local law enforcement agency.

Wilson reportedly dodged all the tire-deflation devices tossed on the roadway by authorities, as documented in footage from above.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath

The pursuit finally arrived at the international border by early afternoon, leading to the CHP to end its pursuit due to jurisdictional constraints.

Walters stated on the following day that the minivan was situated in Tijuana, Mexico and that she was coordinating with the CHP to retrieve it.

“At the end of the day, I’m not concerned with the vehicle,” Walters said. “I’m more at ease aware she was not injured. The minivan is replaceable.”

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 emotional distress is often non-linear.

“This is a mental health and addiction crisis,” she said. “There is a need for additional assistance. It is essential to provide more resources for those that are struggling.”

“The recovery process isn’t always pretty,” Walters concluded.