🔗 Share this article

A woman formerly staying at a female recovery facility in the state of California allegedly stole a minivan and engaged in a hours-long police chase culminating with her crossing the border into the nation of Mexico on Monday.

Vehicle Theft Discovered from Sober Living Home

According to 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. The owner, who manages two women’s sober living homes, named the suspect as one of the residents at Diana’s House Sober Living, located approximately 60 minutes north-west of LA.

“My keys were stolen from my manager’s handbag. I happened to pull up just as it was happening,” Walters stated, adding that the vehicle is used for the sobriety home’s tasks.

Dramatic Chase Unfolds Across Multiple Counties

Authorities located the stolen vehicle 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 145km/h on the 118 freeway until the pursuit proceeded into LA County. At that juncture, local sheriff’s deputies handed over the operation to the California highway patrol once the driver merged onto the Interstate 405 heading south.

“This one is particularly unusual in the context of the road situation allowing drivers to persist on the highway and prolong this chase,” said a spokesperson from the Ventura county sheriff’s office.

The suspect reportedly avoided all the spike strips deployed on the roadway by police, as documented in aerial videos.

International Getaway and Aftermath Developments

The chase eventually reached the US-Mexico border by 1.30pm, leading to the highway patrol to end its pursuit due to jurisdictional constraints.

Walters indicated on Tuesday that the minivan was situated in the Mexican city of Tijuana 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 said. “I’m more at ease aware she wasn’t hurt. The minivan is replaceable.”

Insight from the Facility Operator

The sober living home owner, who has run the recovery residence since October 2024, recognizes that the path to recovery from substance abuse and emotional distress is not always linear.

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

“Recovery can be messy,” she added.