A New Zealand father who vanished into the wilderness together with his three kids almost 4 years in the past was probably noticed on a CCTV digital camera throughout a break-in at an area retailer, police mentioned.
New Zealand police on Friday launched nighttime footage that they imagine reveals Tom Phillips and considered one of his kids apparently breaking right into a retailer earlier than driving away on a quad bike.
Det. Senior Sgt. Andy Saunders instructed reporters on Friday that the pair made off with some “grocery objects,” in keeping with a report by CBS Information accomplice BBC.
New Zealand Police
Phillips took his three kids – Ember, 9, Maverick, 10, and Jayda, 12 – from their household dwelling in December 2021 over what police mentioned was a custody battle. They’re believed to be hiding and tenting within the North Island’s western Waikato area.
A nationwide seek for the kids was launched after their disappearance, and a $47,000 reward was posted for info on their whereabouts final 12 months. The supply expired earlier than it was claimed, the BBC reported.
Phillips and his kids had been final noticed in October 2024 when a bunch of teenage pig hunters noticed them trekking by means of the bush and filmed the encounter on their telephones.
Since then, his household has appealed to Phillips to show himself in and return the kids.
“There’s a number of love and there is a number of assist, and we’re prepared that will help you stroll by means of what it’s essential to stroll by means of,” his sister, Rozzi Phillips, instructed New Zealand information website Stuff in an unique interview earlier this month.
In accordance with police, the most recent CCTV footage was launched in hopes that the group would report extra sightings of Phillips and his chidren. The obvious break-in occurred round 2 a.m. native time on Wednesday in Piopio, a small city in northern New Zealand.
Police mentioned the pair appeared to make use of an influence software to interrupt right into a refrigerated container earlier than making off with groceries on the quad bike.
Police mentioned Phillips is believed to have unsuccessfully focused the identical retailer in November 2023.
Phillips faces a variety of fees, together with aggravated theft, aggravated wounding and illegal possession of a firearm.
“On the coronary heart of this are three kids who’ve been away from their dwelling for 4 years,” Saunders mentioned in a police assertion. “Their well-being is our major focus.”
contributed to this report.
