New CCTV Shows Fugitive Tom Phillips and Child Burglary

Nearly four years after vanishing into the New Zealand wilderness with his three young children, Tom Phillips has resurfaced—on camera. New CCTV footage from the small town of Piopio depicts a masked man, believed to be Phillips, accompanied by one child.

The pair appears to force entry into a convenience store using a power tool, gather groceries, and flee on a quad bike. Police are “confident” it is Phillips and one of his children, marking a rare sighting of the missing family.

Piopio’s Early Morning Shock

Captured around 2 a.m., the footage shows the duo carefully breaking into what is believed to be the same store Phillips allegedly targeted unsuccessfully in late 2023.

The incident lasted approximately 13 minutes before the pair sped off. This brazen behavior signals either a breakdown in support from whoever’s been supplying Phillips—or simply growing overconfidence in evading capture.

A Life in the Bush—Ongoing Mystery

Since December 2021, after losing custody of his children, Phillips has survived undercover in the dense terrain of Waikato’s King Country.

He evaded large-scale searches and was last seen in October 2024, filmed by pig hunters while trekking through bushland. His ability to endure with young children for so long has mystified authorities and community members alike.

Charges, Rewards, and Red Flags

Phillips is wanted on serious charges—aggravated robbery, aggravated wounding, and illegal possession of a firearm—stemming from a bank robbery in 2023 and other criminal acts.

Authorities previously offered a reward thought to be around NZ$80,000 for information leading to his arrest, though this incentive has since expired.

Families and Communities Left Between Hope and Hazard

The disappearance shattered the children’s mother and Phillips’ relatives. In recent letters, his mother and sister expressed ongoing love and sorrow, urging him to return and assuring him that support awaits. Authorities, however, emphasize that any intervention must prioritize the safety of the children.

The release of CCTV footage serves as both a plea for public assistance and a warning about Phillips’ continued evasiveness and readiness to commit crimes.

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