A man is being questioned over the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie – hours after images were released of an “armed individual” at her front door.
The suspect was detained on Tuesday during a traffic stop south of Tucson, Arizona, said Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
However, it is unclear if it’s the same person seen on doorbell cam video released earlier.
The FBI and the sheriff’s department said a search was also taking place at a location in Rio Rico, 60 miles south of Tucson, according to Sky’s US partner NBC News.
Ms Guthrie – mother of TV host Savannah Guthrie – went missing on 1 February, with blood found on her doorstep and a ransom note sent to media.
The case has transfixed America and her family has urged whoever is holding her to contact them and show proof the 84-year-old is still alive.
However, no further contact appears to have been made and authorities have said previously they have no suspects.
Doorbell camera footage of someone in a balaclava, recorded on the night Ms Guthrie disappeared, was made public on Tuesday.
FBI director Kash Patel said the images had been recovered “from residual data located in backend systems” – despite the camera being disconnected early on the morning of Ms Guthrie’s disappearance.
He said they showed “an armed individual” appearing to tamper with the camera.
An FBI official told NBC News the release of the pictures had prompted a dramatic increase in tips from the public.
Ms Guthrie’s family previously said they were willing to pay for their mother’s return after the ransom note asked for $6m (£4.4m) by last Monday.
They have posted several videos over the last week.
In the latest, posted on Monday, the presenter said: “We are at an hour of desperation.” She told the public: “We need your help.”
Ms Guthrie – who has medical issues and needs daily medication – was last seen at her home on 31 January and was reported missing the next day after she did not attend church.
Read more:
What we know about mysterious disappearance
The Arizona neighbourhood left stunned
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Authorities have said DNA tests showed blood on her front porch was hers.
FBI spokesman Connor Hagan said on Monday the bureau was not aware of ongoing communication between Ms Guthrie’s family and the suspected kidnappers.
