Woman Eludes Police During 170-Mile Chase, Enters Mexico

In Southern California, police chases are common. But THIS was one for the books. A suspect in an allegedly stolen minivan led authorities on a two-hour, 170-mile chase across four counties Monday, Nov. 10. The chase ended with him fleeing to Mexico, officials said.

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Police chase attracts deputies and highway patrol

The police began around 11 a.m. when officers responded to reports of a Toyota Sienna seized outside a sober living home in Thousand Oaks. Law enforcement identified the suspect as a 29-year-old woman who lived at the sobriety facility. She reportedly suffered from mental health issues and stole the car from her mother, according to ABC7.

The area is about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies pursued the vehicle at speeds reaching 90 mph, according to the Associated Press. The California Highway Patrol took over the pursuit as the minivan headed south on Interstate 405 in Los Angeles County.

Suspect foiled TWO attempts to arrest him

Television helicopters followed as the minivan swerved to avoid a spike strip the CHP had placed in its path. A second spike strip attempt also failed, and by noon the suspect had sped into Orange County on Interstate 5. After the chase reached San Diego County, the CHP notified Customs and Border Protection just after 1 p.m. that the vehicle was approaching the border.

The CHP units were removed from the pursuit on State Route 905 around 1:20 p.m. due to public safety concerns. To protect officers and motorists, stopping the pursuit is a common practice during chases near the border.

“We don’t want this car to drive its way through the driveway and hurt other people,” said CHP Sgt. Esteban Hernández told the Los Angeles Times.

Where is the woman now?

Shortly before 1:30 p.m., CHP officers were notified that the minivan had crossed the San Ysidro crossing into Mexico, Hernandez said. She returned through the same crossing Tuesday, the highway patrol said in a statement. The driver was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office was expected to take her into custody and charges were pending.

Customs and Border Protection officials did not immediately respond to a request for additional details from AP.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.