Border Patrol commander removed from gas station in move that sparks debate

A string of recent incidents in which ICE agents and Department of Homeland Security leadership have been refused service at corporate gas stations and hotel chains has raised questions about whether private businesses can lawfully deny service to federal law enforcement officers.

The incidents — including ICE agents who were turned away from hotels and a Border Patrol commander being denied service at a gas station — have prompted debate over whether such refusals amount to lawful private discretion or illegal discrimination against federal law enforcement carrying out official duties.

The most recent flashpoint unfolded at a Speedway gas station, where video captured by conservative activist Cam Higby showed U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino being followed out of the store by a man identifying himself as a manager.

Bovino himself was silent on the matter when asked by Higby among the crowd outside Speedway, while Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said similar situations had transpired at several different gas stations where agitators stalked agents.

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When Higby asked the man why he refused Bovino service, he replied: “Because I wanted to. I don’t support ICE and nobody here does.”

The man remained silent when asked if he thought it was legal to deny service to federal agents based on their role, while the employee could be heard saying, “If it is [illegal] I personally don’t care.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Speedway and its parent company, 7-Eleven, for a response. An employee who picked up the corporate phone line said he would forward this reporter’s message to the “proper department,” but no comment was returned.

The incident follows other similar situations, including the case of a then-Hampton Inn-branded hotel in nearby Lakeville, Minnesota, where employees repeatedly refused service to ICE agents; canceling reservations and asking them to “pass on” the news they were unwelcome.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was also denied entry to a building in a Chicago suburb to use the restroom.

BEN & JERRY’S CO-FOUNDER CALLS FOR ICE TO BE ‘DEFUNDED AND DISBANDED’: ‘THIS IS NOT FREEDOM’

After public apologies from Hilton and the franchisee, Everpeak Hospitality, Hilton eventually took corrective action by removing the inn from its rolls and even sending a crane to remove its Hampton Inn sign from the roadside.

Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta later told The Guardian that it also closed a DoubleTree hotel where ICE agents were staying after the property received bomb threats.

Nassetta suggested a distinction in the two cases: “A safety and security issue is a different issue — it’s closed to all.”

ANTI-ICE AGITATORS OCCUPY MINNESOTA TARGET STORE, DEMAND RETAILER STOP HELPING FEDERAL AGENTS

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney for North Florida Zack Smith told Fox News Digital that, from a practical standpoint, the behavior of people like the Speedway manager as reported was wrong.

TRUMP ADMIN SLAMS DEMS’ ‘CALL 911 ON ICE’ PUSH AS RECKLESS, LINKS POLICY TO RIOTS AND VIOLENT ARRESTS

“It’s shameful conduct to try to penalize men and women who are going out, day in and day out, seeking to enforce federal… law, seeking to penalize them and refusing to provide them services,” said Smith, currently a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation’s Institute for Constitutional Government.

“We’ve seen this in the past, particularly when a lot of emotions were high in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, in other places where individuals were refusing service to law enforcement.”

Smith said in an exclusive interview that while the businesses may retain the legal right to deny Bovino or others services, it doesn’t make it right.

PHILADELPHIA’S THREAT TO PROSECUTE ICE COULD TRIGGER LANDMARK COURT FIGHT OVER AUTHORITY, EXPERTS WARN

“I think that’s shameful conduct and, at the end of the day, it ultimately has harmed many of those businesses. Now, in terms of whether businesses have the right to turn away law enforcement officers, just because they may have the right to do it doesn’t make it the right thing morally to do.”

The best recourse, Smith said, is not a legal one — but the power that every American consumer has. That appeared to be the case after the Speedway tape went viral and critics promised to stop patronizing the otherwise ubiquitous convenience store chain.

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After Bovino was blocked from Speedway, conservative ire erupted online at the chain and its parent 7-Eleven — including for not publicly addressing the situation in any prominent way, as Hilton had.

“I suspect part of that is the reason, you mentioned earlier, that Hilton was revoking the franchise of some hotels that refuse to honor reservations for federal law enforcement [is] they understand that many consumers are not going to approve or like it when businesses are refusing service to individuals simply because they are members of law enforcement,” Smith said.

Goodell addresses concerns over Bad Bunny performance at upcoming Super Bowl

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed questions about Bad Bunny possibly making a political statement during the Super Bowl LX halftime show and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations during his press conference on Monday.

Last year, Bad Bunny was chosen as the Super Bowl halftime show performer despite his scathing criticism of ICE. The Puerto Rican music star won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and had more criticism of ICE on stage in Los Angeles.

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“Listen, Bad Bunny is, and I think that was demonstrated last night, one of the great artists in the world and that’s one of the reasons we chose him,” Goodell said. “But the other reason is he understood the platform he was on and this platform is used to unite people and to be able to bring people together with their creativity, with their talents and to be able to use this moment to do that and I think artists in the past have done that.

“I think Bad Bunny understands that and I think he’ll have a great performance.”

As for ICE, officials were set to have a visible presence around Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

NFL COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL FACES MULTIPLE QUESTIONS OVER GIANTS CO-OWNER’S EMAILS WITH JEFFREY EPSTEIN

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said last month that federal officials were committed to working with local and state law enforcement to keep the Super Bowl safe.

“Security is obviously one of the things we focus on the most. It’s a SEAR (Special Event Assessment Rating) 1 level event that involves unique assets at the federal levels, state level and the local level all working together,” Goodell said. “I see no change in that in the preparations for the Super Bowl. We have not seen that.

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“We are working with all three of those levels and doing everything we can to make sure it’s a safe environment and the federal government is a big part of that, including this administration and every other administration before that. I think SEAR 1 has probably been the category we had since at least the turn of the century, if not before that. So, I just anticipate we’ll continue to do the work to make it the safest event.”

US ski star makes decision on Olympic participation after horrifying World Cup crash

Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn confirmed Tuesday that she will compete in the Milan Cortina Games, just days after the American skier suffered a terrifying scare at a World Cup race in Switzerland. 

Vonn, 41, made the announcement during a news conference amid speculation that her return to the sport was in jeopardy following a crash in Crans-Montana. Vonn was airlifted from the course after she appeared to lose control while attempting to land a jump in her final run.

Vonn confirmed in a social media post hours after her crash that she had injured her left knee. 

CAROL ROTH: Bank customers beware, your savings could legally vanish without warning

Most Americans believe that putting money with a trusted bank or credit union is safe — that they can set it and forget it. But doing that could just make your money disappear from your account!

My cousin called me in a panic last week. A retiree, she had put her savings (a six-figure sum) into a savings account with a credit union.

This was her life’s savings, and she received quarterly statements that showed monthly deposits of interest. She watched her balance grow.

On her third quarter of 2025 statement, everything looked fine. But when she received her fourth quarter 2025 statement, the account had been marked closed.

SCAMMERS TARGET RETIREES AS MAJOR 401(K) RULE CHANGES LOOM FOR 2026 TAX YEAR AHEAD NATIONWIDE

She couldn’t believe it. What happened to the account, and where was her money?

When she called the credit union, they said her account had been closed for inactivity. They had closed it as a dormant account and sent the money to the state, a process known as “escheatment” (aptly named, given the circumstances).

She didn’t understand. There was activity from the financial institution with interest deposits every month.

NATIONAL PROGRAM HELPS SENIORS SPOT SCAMS AS LOSSES SURGE

She then called the state, and they said they didn’t have the money; it also was not on their unclaimed property website.

So, what happened?

This story is a red flag for everyone, but especially for seniors or soon-to-be retirees who put money into savings and don’t do anything with it.

RETIREES LOSE MILLIONS TO FAKE HOLIDAY CHARITIES AS SCAMMERS EXPLOIT SEASONAL GENEROSITY

If you, as an account holder, do not have owner-initiated activity in your financial accounts — that is, activity you personally undertake, such as making a deposit, withdrawal, updating your information, or contacting the institution, etc. — and think you can just collect interest, you put your account at risk for closure. Automatic interest postings do not count toward keeping the account active. In Illinois, the current dormancy period is three years (though it varies by state). Simply collecting interest without any owner-initiated interaction can lead to the account being classified as dormant.

Even though my cousin received deposits and had withdrawals regularly, those were initiated by the credit union, not her. Putting away her savings for safekeeping is what ultimately put her money at risk for being sent to the state.

When she called the credit union, they said her account had been closed for inactivity. They had closed it as a dormant account and sent the money to the state, a process known as “escheatment” (aptly named, given the circumstances).

If the institution believes the account is dormant, the institution is supposed to do due diligence and contact you (such as via a mailed letter) before escheating funds. The credit union said they mailed a notice of closure, but it was not sent via certified mail, and my cousin never saw it. She only received that final notice that the account was closed.

6 KICK-BUTT FINANCIAL RESOLUTIONS YOU SHOULD MAKE TODAY TO PROTECT TOMORROW

Of course, they could have called her or tried harder to connect, but they did not.

The institution is then supposed to send the money to the state, but that process can apparently take a while. In my cousin’s case, it was sent in late October, and three months later, the state couldn’t account for it.

Note that currently, escheated funds are held indefinitely for the owner to claim (usually via the state treasurer’s unclaimed property office and website.) But, they have to go through the state’s administrative process first.

4 TASKS EVERY AGING AMERICAN MUST DO RIGHT NOW

Because the state did not have a record of the transfer when contacted, the Illinois State Treasurer provided a form that we then sent the credit union to receive specific information on when the money was forwarded. It took me getting involved to find the right person on staff to acknowledge their receipt and compliance with this request.

In the meantime, this scenario has caused my cousin a great deal of panic, as you can imagine. She has also lost her higher-value interest payments for three months and counting because of this scenario, and we are awaiting word from the state to see if, with the new information, they can locate and turn over the funds.

What can you do to avoid the same scenario?

FROM FRIENDLY TEXT TO FINANCIAL TRAP: THE NEW SCAM TREND

First, make sure that your bank or credit union is insured by the FDIC or NCUA, respectively. Make sure that each of your accounts does not exceed the insurance limit ($250,000 per depositor, per insured institution, per ownership category.) Divide up accounts so each is covered if you exceed the maximum in any account.

This story is a red flag for everyone, but especially for seniors or soon-to-be retirees who put money into savings and don’t do anything with it.

Second, look up the escheatment laws in your state. Even if the listed time period is longer than one year, I recommend that you make at least one transaction every six months to keep your account active and in good standing.

Next, review your statements for all your accounts regularly and look for any unusual activity, notices and the like.

I would also recommend that you work with a financial institution that has a branch you can walk into. Establish a relationship with the staff so that you have an internal ally to help you.

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If you are being dismissed by customer service at any point, have a trusted friend or relative help you navigate the process. The credit union dismissed my cousin until I called with her on the phone as her representative.

In our first interaction, I also let the customer service staff know upfront that I was recording the call for our records, so I could transparently do a recording (recording laws vary by state). That had a double benefit of letting them know this was serious and on the record, and it also created an audio record we could use in the future if the situation escalated.

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I hope that more awareness will be made and states will consider changing this ridiculous rule that creates a burden, particularly for retirees and other seniors who want to keep their savings as untouched money.

Savings accounts are supposed to be for saving, and financial institutions are supposed to be trusted. In today’s day and age, you need to diligently keep track of your hard-earned money before it ends up missing. While funds are recoverable if escheated, preventative efforts can keep you from dealing with the time, effort and issues of this process.

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HUGH HEWITT: Democrats have just handed Trump the chance to fix immigration

Domestic governance and politics continue even as the world waits for President Trump’s decision on how to best defang the reckless and bloodthirsty regime that holds the Iranian population captive. No one not in the rooms with the president and his innermost circle of advisers knows what are the options before President Trump or what our intelligence and military say and how our regional allies actually feel. It is “wilderness of mirrors” time on all things Iran.

The president’s resolute actions against Iran and Venezuela in 2025 ought to have earned him enormous credibility on national security decisions, unlike Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, who knew only how to retreat. President 45-47 is not the retreating type. He could, of course, disappoint and do nothing about the despots terrorizing Iranians, thereby forfeiting some, if not all, of that accumulated credit from the past year. But no one can render that judgment yet, although partisans on the left are eager to class him with the 44th and 46th presidents as appeasers. We have no idea how this crisis will resolve, and likely won’t for weeks, if not months.

In the meantime, the ongoing negotiations over the appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have gifted President Trump an unprecedented opportunity to turn the deep divisions over illegal immigration into a consensus-building breakthrough, one that will put his second term into the history books without equal in post-World War II history. A domestic “Nixon-to-China” moment stands before him.

Hard-left Democrats are demanding their congressional members push for the effective neutering of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by requiring judicial warrants prior to the detention of immigrants in the country without permission — either because they crossed the border illegally as “got-aways,” entered with the consent of the Biden administration as asylum or refugee seekers or overstayed a visa.

GO BIG, THEN GO SMART: TRUMP, ICE AND THE LAW. HOW TO SKIP THE LEFT’S PR TRAP

The Democrats denied that the border could be closed, but Trump has shown it can be and has been. Rather than recognize how badly Team Biden broke the immigration system, now the left now wants to deny ICE the long-standing procedures by which illegal immigrants are deported. The Republicans can never agree to this. If the Democrats shutter DHS for six months by denying the entire department funding, it will be an issue for November.

Voters, however, do not like the dragnet approach to illegal immigrants. They are fueled in their discontent by legacy media misrepresenting every case involving a sympathy-evoking migrant and by the tragedies in Minnesota.

It is pretty easy to see what super-majorities want: the rapid deportation of criminals and violent immigrants — including those not yet convicted but arrested for suspected criminal behavior. Easy to see but very difficult to execute.

DEMOCRATS CAN RUN, BUT THEY CAN’T HIDE: AN IMMIGRATION RECKONING IS NEXT IN 2028

Voters are not generally in favor of deporting hardworking migrants who came here and found work. A very loud but small slice of the right wants deportation of 100% of people in the country illegally, but that policy will boomerang in November.

America is a welcoming country, especially for the law-abiding and hard-working. Now is the moment to continue to demonstrate resolve at the border, focus on who must be deported and, crucially, compassion for specific categories of illegal immigrants determined to build a legitimate life here.

By providing ‘regularization’ for a few million of the tens of millions of illegal immigrants in the country, President Trump will again underscore that he is the president who stands for ‘common sense.’ 

President Trump should go on the offensive with the immigration equivalent of The First Step Act success from his first term. The president can demand right now that the final appropriations bill taking shape for DHS to maintain the current deportation process —including administrative warrants for detention— while fully funding the Department of Homeland Security, with some additional sections of new law.

THE SUPREME COURT IS GOING TO GIVE PRESIDENT TRUMP A MAJOR OPENING ON IMMIGRATION

He should flip the messaging script and demand of the Congress that this appropriations bill regularize all “Dreamers” — illegal immigrants brought to the country as minors — as well as other discrete categories of illegal immigrants, such as those who can present a record of work and tax returns for 10 years with no arrests, and all illegal immigrants over the age of 50 who do not have an arrest on their records. Immunity from deportation by categories, based on common sense, makes the operational workload of DHS smaller while reducing the political cost of unpopular deportations of low-skilled but dedicated labor that hardly anyone objects to when they are on the receiving end of the services provided by those migrants.

All the Dreamers — which is an “80-20” common sense issue — and other categories of illegal immigrants who should be “regularized,” should receive a five year “blue card,” a status renewable every five years provided the holder does not violate the criminal law.

The compromise President Trump puts forward should also articulate that there is no path to citizenship for anyone who entered the country illegally and thus the right to vote will never be theirs. This is a bedrock principle as important as the wall along the border: No one should be able to break the law and thereby gain the right to citizenship. Residency on terms of good behavior, yes, but voting and entitlements: No. A hard no.

TRUMP’S IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN SPARKS BIPARTISAN CALL FOR ASYLUM FIXES, PROTECTION FOR LONGTIME MIGRANTS

“Regularization” should not be “amnesty” of the sort President Ronald Reagan delivered in 1986, which proved to be a disaster. A grant of regularization to an individual should explicitly bar that individual from qualifying another person outside the country for favorable status in any application for immigration benefits.

Democrats have unwittingly placed illegal immigrants front and center as the only issue presently impeding the ordinary operations of the government. President Trump should take the spotlight the Democrats have created on DHS funding and turn it on to a demand that cannot be rejected. Trump needs to make the Democrats an offer they cannot refuse.

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Most Americans are not eager to eject Dreamers or illegal immigrants who have been here for decades working to build their families and the country. Most Americans are also not sympathetic to the millions who rushed the border during the collapse of border controls during the Biden years.

By taking large numbers of illegal immigrants who arrived long before Biden off the target list for deportation, ICE can focus on the actual problem, which is, in the minds of most Americans, violent and usually criminally violent young men as well as illegal immigrants who arrived in the past five years and immediately imposed enormous costs on the social safety net.

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President Trump has proven himself completely capable of managing international crises and legislative achievement at the same time. Even as the crisis continues to unfold in Iran, he should demand that Congress do more than fund the Department of Homeland Security. He should also make the bill providing the funds a first step towards a rational set of rules for the tens of millions of people in the country without any right to be here.

By providing “regularization” for a few million of the tens of millions of illegal immigrants in the country, President Trump will again underscore that he is the president who stands for “common sense.” He’s the president who sealed the border. He can also be the one to finally settle the issue of the Dreamers and long-settled immigrants who have been here for decades and decades working and building lives.

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Former UCLA doctor accused of assaulting hundreds has his conviction thrown out

An appeals court in California overturned a sexual abuse conviction against a former University of California, Los Angeles, gynecologist, ruling he was denied a fair trial. 

A three-justice panel from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal said Monday that James Heaps — who was sentenced in 2023 to 11 years in prison — was denied a fair trial because the judge did not share with his defense counsel a note by the court’s foreman pointing out concerns that one juror lacked sufficient English to carry out their duties. 

“Justice is slow, but it’s finally been done,” Heaps’ attorney, Leonard Levine, told The Associated Press. “I believe it’s just a matter of time before he is totally exonerated.” 

Levine added that he and his team were not aware of the note or that there was any question about a juror’s ability to serve until two years later when an attorney working on an appeal discovered it in a court file.

FLASHBACK: EX-PATIENTS OF UCLA GYNECOLOGIST ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING THEM ARE ‘VOICE FOR SO MANY,’ LAWYERS SAY

If the attorney had not seen it, “it still would have remained a secret, which is very unfortunate since it would have been a miscarriage of justice, but thankfully it’s been corrected,” Levine also said. 

Heaps, 69, was accused of sexually assaulting hundreds of patients during his 35-year career and UCLA made nearly $700 million in payouts over lawsuits connected to the allegations. 

UCLA patients said Heaps groped them, made suggestive comments or conducted unnecessarily invasive exams, the AP reported in 2023 at the time of his sentencing. Women who brought the lawsuits said the university ignored their complaints and deliberately concealed abuse that happened for decades during examinations at the UCLA student health center, the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center or in Heaps’ campus office.

MURDAUGH LAWYER ‘CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC’ COURT CLERK’S MISCONDUCT COULD PAVE WAY FOR NEW TRIAL

Heaps continued to practice until his retirement in June 2018. 

Heaps later pleaded not guilty to 21 felony counts in the sexual assaults of seven women between 2009 and 2018. He was convicted in October 2022 of three counts of sexual battery by fraud and two counts of sexual penetration of two patients. The jury found him not guilty of seven of the 21 counts and was deadlocked on the remaining charges. 

In the 31-page ruling issued Monday, the panel of justices pointed out that within about one hour of Juror No. 15 being seated as a substitute for a juror who had a medical issue, concerns were raised about whether the person was qualified to serve. The foreman’s note indicated that Juror No. 15 did not speak English well enough to participate in the deliberations, the ruling stated. 

Prosecutors have 30 days to appeal the ruling.    

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that, “Our office plans to retry the defendant as soon as possible.”

The panel stated that the problem was too grave to not order a retrial.

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“We recognize the burden on the trial court and regrettably, on the witnesses, in requiring retrial of a case involving multiple victims and delving into the conduct of intimate medical examinations,” the ruling stated. “The importance of the constitutional right to counsel at critical junctures in a criminal trial gives us no other choice.” 

Costa Rica poised for political shift as Fernández declares victory in presidential race

Laura Fernández Delgado declared victory in the Costa Rican presidential election on Sunday after preliminary results showed her Sovereign People’s Party leading the national vote with just over 48% support.

The National Liberation Party followed in second place with approximately 33% of the vote, according to the latest official tally from Costa Rica’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal, which oversees and certifies national elections.

“Change will be deep and irreversible,” Fernández said at her victory party in San Jose, according to a translation of her remarks from Reuters.

A former government minister, she is the handpicked successor of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, who is constitutionally prohibited from seeking re-election.

COSTA RICA SWINGS RIGHT AS VOTERS EMBRACE TOUGH-ON-CRIME LEADER AMID SURGING VIOLENCE

Fernández, 39, is set to become Costa Rica’s second female president, after Laura Chinchilla, who served from 2010 to 2014.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday congratulated Fernández on her victory in Costa Rica’s presidential election, emphasizing the United States’ commitment to working closely with her incoming administration.

“Under her leadership, we are confident Costa Rica will continue to advance shared priorities to include combatting narco-trafficking, ending illegal immigration to the United States, promoting cybersecurity and secure telecommunications, and strengthening economic ties,” Rubio said.

TRUMP-STYLE LAW-AND-ORDER CONSERVATIVE CLINCHES CHILE’S PRESIDENCY AS VIOLENT CRIME CRISIS RESHAPES NATION

Reuters reported that Fernández, who is married and has a young daughter, has built her political profile around conservative Catholic values and a strong emphasis on family, helping her gain traction among Costa Rica’s expanding evangelical electorate.

She has publicly expressed admiration for Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador, and his tough stance on crime, signaling openness to enhanced security measures in violence-prone areas.

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Fernández has also said she would complete construction of a maximum-security prison modeled on El Salvador’s CECOT facility as part of a broader strategy to address serious crime.

The president-elect is scheduled to be sworn in on May 8.

Deputy AG warns ‘massive fraud network’ turned against federal agents in Minneapolis

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche says federal investigators are uncovering a “massive underground fraud network” in Minneapolis that he suggested helped fuel a sudden, coordinated push to drive ICE out of the city.

“We had a massive fraud going on all through Minneapolis, all through Minnesota, and suddenly it turned. It turned almost on a dime, and it became suddenly all about ICE, all about getting ICE out and how horrible ICE was doing,” Blanche said Monday on “The Ingraham Angle.” 

“[We had] very strong pushback when we raised our hands and said ‘stop,’ so, yes, we have multiple investigations going on.”

LEAVITT SAYS TRUMP WILL NOT ‘WAVER’ ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN DESPITE DEMOCRATIC BACKLASH

Blanche also pointed to the financial dimensions of the case, noting that investigators are making “progress” in tracing funding streams connected to the alleged network. Blanche said unraveling those money trails is a priority for federal law enforcement, though he did not name specific individuals or sources.

“It’s not something we’re going to do overnight,” he said, “But… it’s not just [a] coincidence that these massive numbers of protesters and rioters and agitators show up at the same time, and they’re pushing back on what has been a profit center for fraudsters.”

FORMER ICE AGENT CALLS POLICE NON-COOPERATION ‘FORMULA FOR DISASTER’ AFTER SECOND MINNEAPOLIS SHOOTING DEATH

Blanche’s comments come amid heightened tensions between ICE and the public in the Twin Cities, as immigration enforcement actions have drawn protests, public backlash and intensified scrutiny of the agency’s role in the region.

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Those tensions intensified after two civilians — Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti — were fatally shot by federal immigration agents in separate incidents in Minneapolis last month, sparking widespread demonstrations and national debate over the scope and conduct of federal immigration enforcement operations.

TIMELINE: Sheriff says DNA testing underway as search for NBC host’s mom enters Day 3

TUCSON, Ariz. – Officials in Tuscon, Arizona, are continuing to search for the mother of NBC “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie after she went missing from her home and was last seen on Saturday night, saying that a crime has been committed.

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her Tuscon residence at around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. While officials didn’t immediately elaborate on the circumstances of her disappearance, Sheriff Chris Nanos said on Monday that “we do, in fact, have a crime.”

A spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Office told Fox News Digital that it’s believed Nancy Guthrie was either kidnapped or abducted.

“Sheriff [Chris] Nanos has stated that he believes that a crime has been committed,” a spokesperson for Pima County Sheriff’s Office told Fox News Digital. “At this point, investigators believe she was taken from the home against her will and that includes possible kidnapping or abduction.”

Nanos said Nancy Guthrie didn’t leave the home by herself. According to the Los Angeles Times, blood was found inside Nancy Guthrie’s home. 

Savannah Guthrie released a statement to NBC’s “Today” on Monday morning.

“On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support. Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom,” the statement said.

MOM OF NBC’S SAVANNAH GUTHRIE REPORTED MISSING IN ARIZONA, SHERIFF SAYS THERE IS A ‘CRIME’

Here’s a timeline of events:

Sunday at around 2:00 a.m.:

A law enforcement source told Fox News Digital that Guthrie’s Pacemaker last synced with her Apple devices around 2 a.m., and investigators believe she was taken out of range around that time.

Saturday 9:45 p.m.: 

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department says Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her residence near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue on Saturday evening. Nancy Guthrie’s children dropped her off at the home at around 9:45 p.m., Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said. 

Sunday 11 a.m.: 

Nanos said Nancy Guthrie didn’t attend her church service, adding that her family was notified about the absence by a churchgoer. Officials said family members went to Nancy Guthrie’s home at around 11 a.m. and spent some time looking for her.

Sunday 12 p.m.:

Nancy Guthrie’s family calls 911, according to officials.

The law enforcement source also said that there were “blood drops” leading from the entryway outside down the house’s pathway towards the driveway.

The source added that Nancy Guthrie had a doorbell camera that wasn’t there when investigators arrived on Sunday. Her phone and Apple Watch were still inside the house, the source added.

Sunday 8:55 p.m.: 

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department says they’ve begun search and rescue efforts using helicopters, infrared cameras and drones to search for the missing 84-year-old. During a news conference on Sunday night, Nanos said they found evidence that raised “some concerns” at Nancy Guthrie’s home.

“We’re pretty much just throwing everything at this that we can. Guthrie is 84 years old and is not of good physical health, and so naturally that’s a great concern,” Nanos said. “This is very concerning to us. We don’t typically get the sheriff out at a scene like this. But it’s very concerning what we’re learning from the house.”

NBC’S SAVANNAH GUTHRIE TO PULL OUT AS HOST OF WINTER OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY AS MOTHER REMAINS MISSING

Monday 9:17 a.m.:

Nanos said during a news conference that Nancy Guthrie didn’t leave the house on her own accord, adding that a crime had been committed. He said the search and rescue mission had been shut down to give that team time to rest.

“We believe now, after we processed that crime scene, that we do, in fact, have a crime scene that we do, in fact, have a crime,” Nanos said. “She did not leave on her own. We know that.”

“We don’t see this as a search mission as much as we do a crime scene,” he added.

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Nanos noted that Nancy Guthrie has limited mobility and has medication that she needs to take every 24 hours, which could be fatal if not taken. He said Nancy Guthrie “is of great sound mind” besides her physical ailments, adding she’s “sharp as a tack.”

WATCH: Sheriff’s helicopter hovers over area where missing Nancy Guthrie is believed to live

Investigators were seen in the area where Nancy Guthrie lives, including sheriff’s department helicopters.

“We need her back. We need to find her. and time is very critical. She is 84. She needs her meds,” Nanos said.

WATCH: Sheriff’s office deputies walk up driveway of house in area of Nancy Guthrie’s house

People with information about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance are asked to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at: 520-351-4900.