Featured Image Credit: New Zealand Police
Topics: New Zealand, Crime, News
Callum Jones
Police have released new CCTV footage believed to show a father who disappeared with his three children nearly four years ago.
Tom Phillips and his children Jayda, 12, Maverick, 10, and Ember, nine, vanished from their family home in New Zealand in December 2021 after a reported argument with their mom, Cat.
Officials believe Phillips took the kids after losing legal custody of them to Cat.
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A widespread search took place across the whole nation, while the missing kids were seemingly recorded in October last year by a group of teenagers.
Cat said she was 'grateful' for witnesses for making the recording, suggesting how it felt like Christmas had come 'early', though Phillips hasn't been seen since - until now.
CCTV footage reveals two people in full-body clothing, with police 'confident' it is Phillips and one of his children.
The clip sees the pair breaking into a store in the small town of Piopio in the early hours earlier this week before driving off on a quad bike.
Phillips is believed to have unsuccessfully targeted the same shop in November 2023, as per the BBC.
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Police say they have released the CCTV footage in the hope the community would report any sightings and so the children could be reunited with their mother.
Detective Senior Sergeant Andy Saunders said: "At the heart of this are three children who have been away from their home for four years. Their wellbeing is our main focus."
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It is believed Phillips had some kind of help from other people, so his latest break-in may suggest his circumstances have changed.
"We're looking at, 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?" Detective Saunders asked.
Phillips' family have recently spoken out and issued a direct plea for him to return home.
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His mom Julia penned in a handwritten note: "Everyday I wake up and hope that today will be the day that you all come home.
"Tom - I feel really sad that you thought you had to do this. Not considering how much we love you and can support you. It hurts every time I see photos of the children and of you and see some of your stuff that is still here.
"Jayda, Maverick, Ember - I love you so much and really miss being part of your lives."
Phillips is facing charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated wounding and illegally possessing a firearm.