SWAT and bomb squads mobilize in Arizona as search for Nancy Guthrie case intensifies

Authorities in Arizona escalated their response Tuesday as regional SWAT teams and bomb squads were activated amid an intensifying investigation into the kidnapping of the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie.

According to television station KGUN9, Oro Valley police officials confirmed that members of a regional SWAT team and bomb squads “have been activated for a mission with the Pima County Sheriff's Department as the point of contact.”

The development comes as new information emerged in the case. On Tuesday night, TMZ’s Harvey Levin reported that investigators observed new "activity" in a Bitcoin account tied to a ransom note in the kidnapping. Levin said the movement marked the first “activity in that account” after days of monitoring.

He emphasized that details about the amount or sender could not be divulged for multiple reasons, though KGUN reported the amount was under $300. The fast-moving developments came as authorities released surveillance images and video of the man they suspect of abducting Guthrie’s mother, Nancy.

Officials have not yet released details about the nature of the SWAT and bomb squad mission. The escalation was also reported Tuesday evening by Anderson Cooper on CNN, though he added to viewers, “We have no idea yet what that is in connection with.”