🔗 Share this article

A female individual formerly staying at a female recovery facility in the state of California allegedly took a stolen van and engaged in a prolonged police chase culminating with her traveling across the international boundary into Mexico on the start of the week.

Auto Theft Discovered from Sober Living Home

As stated in a police announcement, a another female, the owner of the vehicle, 45, reported that her gray minivan from 2004 was missing, along with her vehicle key. The owner, who operates two women’s sober living homes, identified the suspect as Alyssa Wilson at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, located approximately an hour’s drive of LA.

“The keys were taken out of my house manager’s purse. I happened to pull up just as it was happening,” Walters stated, adding that the vehicle is designated for the sobriety home’s tasks.

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Multiple Counties

Officials located the van about 19 kilometers to the north in Simi Valley, where they tried to initiate a traffic stop, but Wilson did not comply and sped away. She reached speeds of about 145km/h on the State Route 118 until the pursuit proceeded into LA County. At that juncture, local sheriff’s deputies transferred the pursuit to the CHP once Wilson merged onto the Interstate 405 traveling southbound.

“This incident is particularly unusual in the sense of the road situation enabling individuals to persist on the freeway and prolong this pursuit,” said a spokesperson from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

The suspect allegedly dodged all the spike strips tossed on the road by police, as documented in footage from above.

International Getaway and Aftermath

The pursuit eventually reached the international border by early afternoon, leading to the CHP to end its pursuit due to legal limitations.

Walters indicated on Tuesday that the vehicle was located in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was coordinating with the authorities to retrieve it.

“Ultimately, I’m not concerned with the car,” Walters said. “I’m relieved knowing she wasn’t hurt. The minivan is replaceable.”

Owner’s Perspective

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

“This represents a psychological and substance abuse crisis,” she said. “We need additional assistance. It is essential to provide more resources for those that are facing challenges.”

“Recovery can be messy,” Walters concluded.