4 Oct 2023

Police follow 14 leads, but Waikato fugitive and his children still missing

10:33 am on 4 October 2023
Missing man Thomas Phillips.

Thomas Phillips and his three children have been missing since 5 September. Photo: Supplied / Police

Police have investigated 14 reported sightings of Waikato fugitive Tom Phillips in the past month.

The Marokopa man, who disappeared with his three children in December 2021, continues to evade police.

Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said police had followed up 14 reports since 5 September with no success.

He asked people around Waikato to come forward with any further information or potential sightings.

Police have linked an armed bank robbery in Te Kūiti on 16 May to Phillips and a woman. Shots were fired during the robbery, but nobody was injured, police said.

On 5 September, police revealed they had charged Phillips with aggravated robbery, aggravated wounding, and unlawfully possessing a firearm.

Phillips and his three primary school aged children, Jayda, Maverick, and Ember, have been missing for 22 months.

The man and his children also disappeared in September 2021, sparking an extensive search.

Earlier, police said Phillips' second disappearance breached a parenting order and there was a warrant out for his arrest, after he failed to appear in court in relation to the first disappearance.

Anyone who sees Phillips is advised not to take action themselves and should call 111, or 105 for non-urgent calls.

Police have set up a dedicated email address for people to report information on the case - op.curly@police.govt.nz

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