Police still searching for missing Marokopa man with children

Police believe the fugitive Tom Phillips – who went bush with his three young children eight months ago – is getting help from a person or group of people.

They also believe the group may have started new lives elsewhere in the country and have widened their search, appealing for help from the public.

Phillips was charged with wasting police time after disappearing with the children in September 2021, but did not show up to a court appearance at the Te Kūiti District Court in January and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Waikato Area Commander Inspector Will Loughrin told Checkpoint searches had covered Marokopa and its surrounds – hundreds of kilometres of land.

“We’ve searched aerially, but unfortunately we’ve just not found any indication of the family in that area and that’s why, through the investigation, that we’ve identified that we do need to go further afield and make sure that we just remind the public that that Tom Phillips may have left the area.

“We want (the public) with their eyes peeled just in case the family have moved out of the area.”

Loughrin gave more detail of the one encounter Phillips had with his family, on 9 February.

 

“Tom arrived home at a family member’s address. He was by himself at the time. He had a small conversation with the family members and he left that night. He was only at the address for approximately an hour and he left with some food supplies.

“At the time the children were not sighted, but the family members were able to engage with Tom. They tried to encourage him to return home with the children, however, he obviously wasn’t willing to do so and left a short time later.”

He did tell the family member the children were “fine and healthy”, but “again reiterated the fact that at that point he was not willing to come to come home”.

Police believed someone was helping Phillips, Loughrin said.

“We’re urging that person or people, group of people, that are helping Tom, to do the right thing and just to get a hold of police and to just let us know where they are so we can resolve this.

“But we are confident that Thomas does have assistance from a person or persons that are known to him.”

The potential for Phillips and the children having left the area and their access to a vehicle were part of police inquiries.

“At this point we don’t have any information to suggest what type of vehicle he has, but anything is a possibility.

“What we’re asking the public’s help for is if there is a father and three children – school aged children – that have moved moved into a community … they might be keeping to themselves, but they might be in and around that community.

“We’re also asking for them to keep their eyes peeled again, for a father and three school aged children travelling intercity on trains, buses or ferries.

“But as well as that, children new to the community that people know aren’t attending local school is another as another indicator we’re seeking the public help for.

“The last part is the disappearance of petrol, diesel food or camping supplies. Again, we want to ensure we can follow up those lines of inquiry.”

Police were mindful that photos made public to date may not accurately depict Phillips and the children now, Loughrin said.

“When Tom was last seen by family in February, he had a beard, and that alone will make him look considerably different than the photos that were circulated.

“The children’s appearance would have also changed since they were last seen by family. They’ll be taller. They may have either lost their baby teeth or started to get their adult teeth and they’ll be wearing their hair in different styles. We’re also exploring the possibility that they may have also started using different names.”

The children’s mother was upset and distressed and “just wants to see her three kids”.

“So we’re working closely with Mum as well as the Phillips family in terms of making sure they’re kept updated on on how how matters are progressing and providing that support that they need.”