In a development that has sent shockwaves through New Zealand, fugitive father Tom Phillips has been captured on CCTV for the first time in over a year, breaking into a convenience store. The sighting confirms he is still at large, and authorities fear his three children—Jayda, Maverick, and Ember—remain with him in the harsh wilderness.
The covert footage, obtained by the Daily Mail, shows Phillips, 54, forcing his way into the closed store in the small Waikato settlement of Te Kūiti in the dead of night. This is the first confirmed sighting since he and the children vanished without a trace 12 months ago.
A Year in Hiding: Life Off the Grid
New Zealand Police believe Phillips has been masterfully evading capture by living a primitive, off-grid existence in the vast, dense bushland surrounding the town of Marokopa. The region is known for its challenging terrain and unpredictable weather, making the search operation immensely difficult.
Detective Inspector Will Loughrin, the officer in charge of the case, stated, "The investigation remains ongoing and active. We maintain serious concerns for the welfare and safety of the children, who have now been out of school and away from medical care for a significant period."
Desperate Pleas and a Community on Edge
The children's mother and wider family have issued heart-wrenching pleas for their safe return, desperate for any information that could lead to their whereabouts. The case has gripped the nation, with the image of the three young siblings being widely circulated in a nationwide Amber Alert.
Local residents in the Waikato region remain on high alert, with many reporting potential sightings over the months. The recent CCTV evidence has intensified the search efforts, confirming that Phillips is still operating in the area.
Police have urged the public not to approach Phillips but to immediately contact authorities with any information. The desperate hunt for the missing children continues, as a nation hopes for their safe return from the wild.
