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A female individual previously residing at a women’s sobriety home in the state of California reportedly took a stolen van and engaged in a hours-long police chase ending with her traveling across the international boundary into the nation of Mexico on the start of the week.

Auto Theft Discovered from Recovery Residence

As stated in a law enforcement announcement, a second woman, the owner of the vehicle, 45, notified authorities that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was missing, along with her car key. The owner, who manages two women’s sober living homes, named the alleged thief as one of the residents at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, located approximately 60 minutes north-west of Los Angeles.

“My keys were taken from my manager’s handbag. I arrived right when it was occurring,” Walters stated, adding that the minivan is used for the sobriety home’s tasks.

Dramatic Chase Develops Across Several Regions

Authorities tracked the stolen vehicle about 19 kilometers north in Simi Valley, where they tried to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect did not comply and accelerated rapidly. She attained speeds of about 90mph on the State Route 118 until the chase continued into LA County. At that juncture, local sheriff’s deputies transferred the operation to the California highway patrol once the driver merged onto the 405 freeway heading south.

“This one is very unique in the context of the road situation enabling individuals to persist on the highway and extend this pursuit,” commented a spokesperson from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

The suspect reportedly dodged all the spike strips deployed on the roadway by authorities, as documented in aerial videos.

International Getaway and Aftermath Developments

The pursuit finally arrived at the US-Mexico border by early afternoon, leading to the CHP to terminate the chase due to jurisdictional constraints.

Walters stated on Tuesday that the vehicle was situated in Tijuana, Mexico and that she was working with the authorities to retrieve it.

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

Insight from the Facility Operator

Walters, who has operated Diana’s House Sober Living since last October, acknowledges that the journey toward sobriety from substance abuse and trauma is often non-linear.

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

“The recovery process can be messy,” Walters concluded.