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A woman previously residing at a female recovery facility in the state of California allegedly stole a minivan and engaged in a prolonged police chase culminating with her crossing the border into the nation of Mexico on Monday.

Auto Theft Discovered from Sober Living Home

As stated in a police announcement, a second woman, Nicolle Walters, 45, notified authorities that her gray minivan from 2004 was stolen, along with her vehicle key. The owner, who manages two female recovery residences, named the suspect as one of the residents at Diana’s House Sober Living, situated approximately an hour’s drive of LA.

“My keys were taken out of my manager’s handbag. I arrived just as it was happening,” she said, noting that the minivan is designated for the facility’s daily operations.

High-Speed Pursuit Unfolds Across Several Regions

Authorities tracked the stolen vehicle about 19 kilometers to the north in a nearby city, where they tried to pull the vehicle over, but the suspect refused to stop and accelerated rapidly. She reached speeds of about 145km/h on the 118 freeway until the chase proceeded into Los Angeles county. At that juncture, local sheriff’s deputies transferred the operation to the CHP once the driver entered the Interstate 405 traveling southbound.

“This incident is very unique in the sense of the traffic conditions allowing individuals to continue to remain on the freeway and extend this chase,” said a spokesperson from the local law enforcement agency.

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

International Getaway and Aftermath Developments

The chase eventually reached the international border by early afternoon, prompting the highway patrol to end its pursuit due to legal limitations.

The vehicle owner stated on Tuesday that the vehicle was situated in the Mexican city of Tijuana and that she was working with the authorities to retrieve it.

“Ultimately, I’m not worried about the car,” Walters remarked. “I’m more at ease knowing she was not injured. The minivan is easily substituted.”

Insight from the Facility Operator

Walters, who has run Diana’s House Sober Living since last October, acknowledges that the path to recovery from substance abuse and emotional distress is often non-linear.

“This is a psychological and addiction emergency,” Walters emphasized. “We need additional assistance. We need more resources for those that are struggling.”

“Recovery can be messy,” she added.