US law enforcement has detained a person of interest in the high-profile kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC News anchor Savannah Guthrie, marking the first major break in the nine-day-old case.

The detention occurred in Tucson, Arizona, just hours after the FBI released chilling surveillance footage of a masked individual lurking outside the victim\`s home. The 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie vanished from her residence between the night of January 31 and the morning of February 1, triggering a massive federal investigation and a desperate public plea from her famous daughter.

The Suspect and the Surveillance

According to Pima County Sheriff’s deputies, the individual was apprehended during a traffic stop south of Tucson. While charges have not yet been filed, the person is being questioned intensively regarding their potential involvement in the abduction.This development follows the release of eerie black-and-white images by FBI Director Kash Patel, showing an "armed individual" in a full-face balaclava tampering with Nancy Guthrie\`s doorbell camera on the morning of her disappearance.

• Ransom Demands: The case has taken a dark turn with reports of ransom notes sent to various media outlets. These unverified notes demanded payment by February 5 and February 9, deadlines that have since passed, heightening fears for Nancy\`s safety.
• Family\`s Anguish: Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have posted heart-wrenching videos on social media, promising to pay any ransom for their mother\`s safe return. "We believe our mom is still out there," Savannah pleaded in a video released on Monday.

A Nation Watching

The kidnapping has gripped the United States, blending the personal tragedy of a beloved media figure with the terrifying reality of home invasions. The FBI\`s involvement signals the severity of the crime, with resources pouring in from across the federal government. However, authorities are managing expectations, with ABC News reporting that there is no immediate confirmation that the detained individual is the same person seen in the surveillance footage.

As the interrogation continues in the Arizona desert, the clock is ticking. For the Guthrie family, this arrest offers a glimmer of hope in a nightmare that has lasted more than a week. The world waits to see if this lead will bring Nancy home or if the mystery of her disappearance will deepen.