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A female individual previously residing at a female recovery facility in the state of California reportedly stole a minivan and engaged in a prolonged law enforcement pursuit ending with her crossing the border into Mexico on Monday.

Auto Theft Discovered from Recovery Residence

As stated in a police statement, a another female, the owner of the vehicle, forty-five years old, reported that her 2004 gray Toyota Sienna was missing, along with her vehicle key. Walters, who operates two female recovery residences, named the suspect as one of the residents at a recovery facility in Thousand Oaks, situated approximately 60 minutes north-west of LA.

“My keys were taken from my house manager’s purse. I happened to pull up just as it was happening,” she said, adding that the vehicle is designated for the facility’s daily operations.

Dramatic Chase Develops Across Several Regions

Authorities tracked the stolen vehicle about 19 kilometers to the north in a nearby city, where they attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the suspect did not comply and sped away. She reached speeds of about 90mph 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 the driver merged onto the Interstate 405 heading south.

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

The suspect allegedly avoided all the spike strips tossed on the roadway by police, as seen in aerial videos.

Cross-Border Escape and Aftermath

The chase eventually reached the US-Mexico border by early afternoon, leading to the CHP to terminate the chase due to legal limitations.

The vehicle owner indicated on the following day that the minivan was located in Tijuana, Mexico and that she was working with the CHP to retrieve it.

“Ultimately, I’m not worried about the car,” she remarked. “I’m relieved aware she wasn’t hurt. The minivan is easily substituted.”

Owner’s Perspective

The sober living home owner, who has operated the recovery residence since October 2024, acknowledges that the path to recovery from addiction and trauma is not always linear.

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

“Recovery can be messy,” she added.