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A female individual previously residing at a female recovery facility in the state of California allegedly took a stolen van and led a prolonged police chase culminating with her traveling across the international boundary into Mexico on Monday.

Vehicle Theft Discovered from Recovery Residence

According to a law enforcement announcement, a another female, the owner of the vehicle, 45, reported that her gray minivan from 2004 was stolen, along with her car key. The owner, who manages two female recovery residences, named the suspect as one of the residents at Diana’s House Sober Living, located approximately an hour’s drive of LA.

“My keys were stolen out of my house manager’s purse. I arrived just as it was happening,” Walters stated, noting that the vehicle is used for the sobriety home’s tasks.

Dramatic Chase Develops Across Several Regions

Officials located the stolen vehicle about 19 kilometers to the north in a nearby city, where they tried 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 continued into Los Angeles county. At that point, Ventura county authorities handed over the operation to the CHP once Wilson merged onto the 405 freeway heading south.

“This one is very unique in the context of the road situation allowing individuals to continue to remain on the highway and extend this chase,” commented a spokesperson from the local law enforcement agency.

The suspect allegedly dodged all the tire-deflation devices deployed on the roadway by police, as seen in footage from above.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath

The pursuit eventually reached the US-Mexico border by early afternoon, prompting the highway patrol to terminate the chase due to jurisdictional constraints.

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

“Ultimately, I’m not concerned with the vehicle,” she remarked. “I’m relieved aware she wasn’t hurt. The car is replaceable.”

Owner’s Perspective

Walters, who has operated Diana’s House Sober Living since October 2024, acknowledges that the journey toward sobriety from addiction and emotional distress is not always linear.

“This is a mental health and addiction emergency,” Walters emphasized. “We need additional assistance. We need greater resources for those that are facing challenges.”

“The recovery process isn’t always pretty,” she added.