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A female individual formerly staying at a female recovery facility in the state of California reportedly stole a minivan and engaged in a hours-long police chase ending with her traveling across the international boundary into the nation of Mexico on Monday.

Auto Theft Reported from Sober Living Home

As stated in a law enforcement statement, a another female, Nicolle Walters, forty-five years old, notified authorities that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was stolen, 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 Diana’s House Sober Living, situated approximately an hour’s drive of LA.

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

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Multiple Counties

Authorities located the van about 12 miles to the north in Simi Valley, where they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect did not comply and sped away. She reached speeds of about 90mph on the State Route 118 until the chase continued into Los Angeles county. At that point, local sheriff’s deputies transferred the pursuit to the CHP once the driver merged onto the Interstate 405 heading south.

“This one is very unique in the context of the traffic conditions allowing individuals to continue to remain on the freeway and extend this pursuit,” said a spokesperson from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

The suspect reportedly avoided all the spike strips tossed on the roadway by police, as documented in footage from above.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath

The pursuit finally arrived at the international border by early afternoon, prompting the highway patrol to end its pursuit due to legal limitations.

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

“At the end of the day, I’m not worried about the car,” Walters remarked. “I’m relieved aware she was not injured. The car is replaceable.”

Owner’s Perspective

Walters, who has run Diana’s House Sober Living since last October, acknowledges that the path to recovery from substance abuse and trauma is not always linear.

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

“The recovery process can be messy,” she added.