New CCTV Footage Believed to Show Fugitive Thomas Phillips and Child in New Zealand Break-in
New CCTV Footage Believed to Show Fugitive Thomas Phillips and Child in New Zealand Break-in
New Zealand Police have released crucial CCTV footage that they believe shows fugitive father Thomas Callam Phillips and one of his children, nearly four years after they disappeared into the remote wilderness. The development offers a fresh lead in the extensive search for Phillips and his three children, Jayda, Maverick, and Ember, who were taken from their Marokopa home in December 2021.
The footage, made public on Friday, captures two masked individuals loading groceries onto a quadbike outside a retail store in Piopio, approximately 35 miles from Marokopa. The incident occurred at around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, just before the store was burgled. According to the shop owner, only milk was stolen, despite other items like vegetables and butter being accessible in the chiller, which was accessed using an angle grinder.
Detective Senior Sergeant Andy Saunders stated, “We believe the pair in this footage are Tom and one of his children.” He noted they were in the area for 13 minutes, traveling by quadbike. This store is reportedly one Phillips had targeted unsuccessfully in November 2023.
Police suspect Phillips and his children are living off-grid, utilizing the father’s survival skills, potentially with the aid of supporters. However, Saunders suggested the recent break-in could indicate a shift in his support network. “Does it mean he’s potentially had a falling out with who’s helping him? Or is he just that brazen and confident that he’s quite happy to come out at night and commit a burglary?” he questioned.
The ongoing manhunt includes an NZ$80,000 ($52,000 USD) reward for information leading to their safe return. Phillips faces multiple charges, including aggravated robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm, stemming from previous alleged incidents like a 2023 bank robbery. The family, including his sister Rozzi Phillips and the children’s mother Cat, have made emotional appeals for their return, highlighting the children’s need for medical care and a normal life. Police emphasize the children’s wellbeing as their primary concern.
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