Police investigating a retail burglary in rural Waikato have released CCTV footage of who they believe to be Marokopa father Tom Phillips and one of his children. Video / NZ Police
Waikato police have released fresh footage of Marokopa father Tom Phillips and one of his children after an alleged burglary on Wednesday.
Detective Senior Sergeant Andy Saunders says police are investigating any connection to Phillips, but the store is one he’s believed to have targeted, unsuccessfully, in November 2023.
“Webelieve the pair in this footage are Tom and one of his children,” Saunders said.
“They were in the area for 13 minutes, having travelled in and out on a quad bike. The pair can be seen loading items into containers on the quad bike before returning in the direction they had come from.
“We’re appealing for information from anyone who might have seen the quad bike travelling or parked between Piopio and Marokopa in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
“In this latest burglary, the offenders have left with a number of general grocery items.”
Police released the footage today.
The footage shows the man assumed to be Phillips, and one of his children, targeting a back entrance of the Piopio Superette, which is covered with metal bars.
The child’s face is concealed by a piece of fabric stuck under their cap. The man has his hood pulled up, the cords drawn tightly to hide his face.
The pair use headlamps to scout the side of the building, not straying far from their quad bike, parked nearby on Ruru St.
At several points, the child can be seen pointing at the shop’s rear door, a security camera, a window, and then looking up at the man, apparently in conversation with him.
Sparks fly as a power tool is used to break into the store.
The footage shows the pair returning to their quad bike with goods, and doing a U-turn before speeding off south down Ruru St in the direction of Aria.
The store allegedly targeted said it had not been broken into this week when approached by the Herald this morning.
A nearby cafe said it had no knowledge of the new Phillips sighting and had not been spoken to by police this week.
Saunders said Phillips faced a range of charges, including aggravated robbery, aggravated wounding and unlawful possession of a firearm.
“At the heart of this are three children who have been away from their home for four years. Their wellbeing is our main focus.”
Phillips and his three children disappeared from their family farm in Marokopa in December 2021. His immediate family have refused to give interviews for almost four years.
In a heartfelt plea earlier this month, his sister Rozzi reiterated that the family was still willing to help him.
“You’re very special to me. You’re my friend, as well as my brother, and I love you, and it’s okay.”
Police investigating an alleged retail burglary in rural Waikato have released CCTV footage of two people, whom they believe to be Marokopa father Tom Phillips and one of his children.
Phillips and the children were last seen in October 2024, when they were filmed by two pig hunters walking through Marokopa farmland.
This winter marks the family’s fourth in Waikato’s King Country bush.
The footage shows the child pointing at the rear door and a security camera of the shop in Piopio.
Jayda, Maverick and Ember were aged 8, 7 and 5 at the time they went into hiding. They are now 12, 10 and 9.
Police believe Phillips is being helped to evade discovery and is probably receiving supplies from the outside world.
In June last year, a reward of $80,000 was offered for information about the family’s whereabouts.
