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A woman formerly staying at a women’s sobriety home in California allegedly took a stolen van and engaged in a prolonged law enforcement pursuit culminating with her traveling across the international boundary into Mexico on the start of the week.

Vehicle Theft Reported from Recovery Residence

According to a law enforcement statement, a second woman, Nicolle Walters, forty-five years old, notified authorities that her gray minivan from 2004 was stolen, along with her car key. The owner, who operates two women’s sober living homes, named the suspect as one of the residents at Diana’s House Sober Living, situated approximately 60 minutes north-west of Los Angeles.

“The keys were taken from my house manager’s purse. I happened to pull up right when it was happening,” she said, noting that the vehicle is designated for the sobriety home’s tasks.

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Multiple Counties

Authorities tracked the van about 19 kilometers to the north in Simi Valley, where they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect refused to stop and sped away. She attained speeds of about 145km/h on the 118 freeway until the pursuit continued into Los Angeles county. At that point, local sheriff’s deputies transferred the pursuit to the California highway patrol once Wilson entered the 405 freeway heading south.

“This one is particularly unusual in the context of the road situation allowing drivers to persist on the freeway and extend this chase,” commented a public information officer from the local law enforcement agency.

The suspect reportedly avoided all the tire-deflation devices deployed on the roadway by authorities, as seen in aerial videos.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath

The pursuit finally arrived at the international border by 1.30pm, leading to the highway patrol to terminate the chase due to legal limitations.

Walters stated on the following day that the vehicle was located in Tijuana, Mexico and that she was working with the authorities to recover the vehicle.

“Ultimately, I’m not concerned with the vehicle,” she said. “I’m relieved knowing she wasn’t hurt. The car is easily substituted.”

Insight from the Facility Operator

The sober living home owner, who has run Diana’s House Sober Living since October 2024, acknowledges that the journey toward sobriety from substance abuse and trauma is not always linear.

“This is a mental health and substance abuse crisis,” she said. “We need more support. We need more resources for those that are facing challenges.”

“Recovery isn’t always pretty,” she added.