A fugitive father and his three children have been spotted together for the first time in almost three years along the west coast of New Zealand's North Island.
Just before Christmas 2021, Tom Phillips fled into the Waikato wilderness with eight-year-old Ember, nine-year-old Maverick and 11-year-old Jada after an argument with his mother.
Phillips is said to have stolen a quad bike from a rural property and broke into Piopio's shop in November last year, and has not been seen since. Surveillance camera footage showed two people, believed to be him and one of the children, on the street.
The group was spotted together last Thursday at Marokopa Farm in New Zealand's Waikato region after a chance encounter with a group of teenage pig hunters who took out their cellphones and started filming.
In the video obtained by 1 newsHere, behind a man with a backpack, three children, wearing camouflage and carrying luggage, can be seen walking in single file across rugged terrain.
Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said the sighting was “credible” and police believe it was made by Ms Phillips and her three children, who she does not have legal custody of.
Patrols began across the area on Thursday night and a search began the next morning, but the group was never found.
“I can't go into details, but I want to reassure the public that we have the resources in place to respond to any sightings or reports that come in,” Sanders said.
“Our focus is on the safe return of Jada, Maverick and Ember to their hometowns. [family] And we are doing everything we can to make that happen. ”
In September 2021, Phillips and his children were reported missing and his womb was found abandoned, sparking a massive search effort across land and sea.
Nineteen days later, they entered their parents' farmhouse outside Marokopa, where Ms Phillips claimed she had taken the children on an extended camping trip. He was charged with wasting police time and resources.
But less than three months later, the four were reported missing again, and a warrant was issued for Phillips' arrest after he failed to appear in court in January.
The mother of the children, who was last seen in 2021, said: new zealand herald She said she was “relieved” to know they were alive.
“I'm so glad everyone is there,” she said, immediately recognizing each child. “I was so relieved to see the three babies. They are all alive.”
Phillips' mother Julia also spoke to the Herald. She was happy to see her grandchildren and thought, “I'm glad they're coming home.”
“I was relieved to see the children alive and well,” she said. “I thought it would be, but I don't know.”
John McCovney said his 16-year-old grandson was one of the hog hunters who discovered the group.
He told 1News that the teens were “only about 50 meters” from the group when they first saw them, and then approached them and had a brief discussion with them.
“He said to them, “What are you doing here?'' Who are you? Does anyone else know that you are here? The child said, “Only you.'' I said, they just kept walking,” McCovney said.
McCovney said the teens said Phillips had a long beard and had a gun, and that the children were all wearing masks that looked like “like.” [they were] I'll go into the bush for a while. ”
A warrant for Phillips' arrest on a charge of aggravated robbery was issued in September 2023. Police allege two armed men entered a bank in Te Kuiti in May and demanded cash before fleeing on a black farm-style motorbike.
In June, New Zealand Police announced an $80,000 reward for information leading to the location and safe return of the three children. The offer expired before I could find it.
Police have previously said they believe Philip and the children are being helped, and urged “those who are doing this to stop, do the right thing and tell police what you know.” Ta.
