🔗 Share this article

A female individual formerly staying at a female recovery facility in California allegedly took a stolen van and engaged in a hours-long law enforcement pursuit culminating with her crossing the border into the nation of Mexico on Monday.

Vehicle Theft Reported from Recovery Residence

According to a police announcement, a another female, the owner of the vehicle, forty-five years old, reported that her gray minivan from 2004 was stolen, along with her vehicle key. Walters, who operates two female recovery residences, identified the suspect as one of the residents at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, located approximately 60 minutes north-west of LA.

“The keys were stolen from my manager’s handbag. I happened to pull up just as it was happening,” Walters stated, noting that the vehicle is designated for the facility’s daily operations.

High-Speed Pursuit Unfolds Across Multiple Counties

Authorities tracked the van about 12 miles north in a nearby city, where they attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the suspect did not comply and sped away. She attained speeds of about 145km/h on the State Route 118 until the pursuit continued into LA County. At that juncture, Ventura county authorities transferred the operation to the CHP once Wilson merged onto the Interstate 405 traveling southbound.

“This one is very unique in the sense of the road situation allowing drivers to continue to remain on the highway and extend this pursuit,” said a public information officer from the local law enforcement agency.

The suspect reportedly avoided all the tire-deflation devices tossed on the roadway by police, as seen in footage from above.

International Getaway and Aftermath Developments

The pursuit eventually reached the international border by early afternoon, prompting the CHP to terminate the chase due to legal limitations.

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

“At the end of the day, I’m not worried about the car,” Walters remarked. “I’m more at ease aware she wasn’t hurt. The car is easily substituted.”

Insight from the Facility Operator

The sober living home owner, who has operated Diana’s House Sober Living since October 2024, acknowledges that the journey toward sobriety from substance abuse and emotional distress is often non-linear.

“This is a psychological and addiction crisis,” she said. “There is a need for additional assistance. We need more resources for those that are struggling.”

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