Tom Phillips and his young children remain elusive despite police searching for them for nearly three years. Video / Mike Scott / Corey Fleming / Jaime Lyth
Tom Phillips, missing since December 2021 with his three children, has possibly been sighted again.
Phillips is linked to an aggravated bank robbery and faces multiple charges.
His children, Ember, Maverick, and Jayda, are now aged 9, 10, and 11, respectively.
Over three years after disappearing with his three children, sparking one of New Zealand’s most mysterious manhunts, Marokopa fugitive Tom Phillips has possibly been sighted again.
Phillips has been credibly sighted only a handful of times after disappearing in December 2021, including a sightinglinking him to an aggravated bank robbery and a close encounter in rural farmland with pig hunters.
His youngest daughter, Ember, would now be 9, son Maverick, 10, and eldest daughter Jayda, 11.
Here is a record of all of the incidents Phillips is accused of being involved in and his sightings – confirmed and unconfirmed – so far.
Police received a report of four people dressed in camouflage clothes sitting in a layby on State Highway 4 in the King Country south of Te Kūiti on Sunday.
A member of the public called police after seeing the group about 8.30am.
Marokopa fugitive Tom Phillips and his children Ember, Jayda and Maverick were possibly spotted at a layby on State Highway 4 at Kopaki, Waikato on Sunday. Photo / NZME
“The group was comprised of an adult, believed to be a man, and three other people, two of which were described as children,” police said.
“This is the first time all three of the children have been sighted, which is positive information, and we know it will be reassuring for the children’s wider family,” police said.
But after a three-day search, including the use of a military helicopter, “nothing further of significance” was found, according to police.
Phillips and his three children were spotted tramping in the Marokopa bush in October.
June 2, 2024: Unconfirmed soak in Waikato bush hot pools
She was at the pools with her partner and some friends on June 2 last year when the man she believed was Phillips and the children hopped in near them.
She said the man had some facial hair and she noted his head was shaved but the hair that remained had been bleached.
The woman described a large tattoo that “could have been a cross” covering the whole of his back.
Detective Inspector Saunders said: “Unfortunately, none of these reported sightings of Tom Phillips or the three children have been positive.”
Jayda Phillips, Ember Phillips and Maverick Callum-Phillips have been missing with their father since December 2021. Photo / NZ Police
Saunders thanked the community for sending in information and continued to ask for people to come forward.
“Work is ongoing in efforts to locate them and this includes continuing to carry out area inquiries.”
August 2, 2023: Phillips’ Bunnings shopping spree, fight with member of public
A spate of sightings around Waikato on August 2, 2023, reinvigorated efforts to find Phillips and his children. Police started conducting door-to-door checks in Te Anga, Pomarangi and Marokopa Rd areas.
Phillips disguised himself while shopping at Bunnings. Photo / NZ Police
He used cash to buy items, which suggested he may have set up a campsite, including headlamps, batteries, seedlings, buckets and gumboots.
12.30pm: Phillips is spotted driving a stolen 2003 bronze Toyota Hilux in Pōkuru, south of Te Awamutu.
3pm-4pm: Phillips visits Bunnings Warehouse on Kahikatea Drive, Melville, Hamilton. Security footage captures him driving the stolen ute in the store’s carpark.
4pm: Phillips goes to Bunnings Warehouse on Te Rapa Rd, Te Rapa, Hamilton. Security footage from inside the store shows him wearing a beanie, glasses and a surgical facemask to hide his identity.
6.45pm: Phillips gets into a fight with the owner of the stolen ute in Kāwhia. The owner tries to run Phillips off the road. The owner also realises winter clothing is missing from his property.
Phillips was seen driving a stolen Toyota Hilux. Photo / NZ Police
Police also ask for sightings of a Honda 50cc motocross bike, a 200cc black Suzuki Trojan, a 200cc Honda XR and a Honda 2008 FourTrax quad bike.
The sightings were thought to be the first in 17 months before it was established that Phillips was allegedly involved in a bank robbery three months earlier.
May 16, 2023: Phillips allegedly robs bank, shoots at supermarket worker
He was charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated wounding and unlawfully possessing a firearm over the armed heist of ANZ Te Kūiti on Rora St on May 16.
ANZ Bank on Rora St Te Kūiti. Photo / Google
Two people entered the bank on Rora St, Te Kūiti, Waikato, and demanded cash, acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said.
The pair then fled the scene on a black, farm-style motorcycle, Saunders said.
Witnesses told the Herald two men, wearing all black and motorcycle helmets, entered the bank branch and were asked by ANZ staff to remove their helmets, which is when the robbery began.
Tom Phillips allegedly fleeing from a bank robbery. Photo / NZ Police
A witness said the offenders, one short and the other tall, fled the bank “with $50 notes flying everywhere”.
The incident also saw a nearby supermarket worker shot at.
December 9, 2021: Phillips disappears with children for good
Almost a month before a scheduled court appearance, Phillips again takes his children from Marokopa.
An arrest warrant is then issued after he fails to appear before court.
September 11, 2021: Initial disappearance sparks major police response
Tom Phillips vanishes for the first time with his three young children Jayda, Maverick and Ember from a beach near Marokopa.
