Notorious NZ fugitive and child caught on CCTV after four years on the run

New Zealand fugitive Tom Phillips and one of his children have been caught on a CCTV camera allegedly robbing a convenience store, nearly four years after he disappeared with his three children, and about a year since they were last sighted.

CCTV footage shows a masked man and a child outside Piopio Superette, a roadside store in the small North Island town of Piopio, at 2am on Wednesday. Sparks fly as the pair appear to use a power tool to gain access to the shop.

Piopio Superette’s manager told New Zealand news outlet Stuff the pair entered through the back of the building, breaking the padlock on the chiller and taking milk and other goods.

An alarm then sounded, prompting them to flee. They returned to the quad bike they were travelling on, loaded it up with the groceries, and drove away.

“We believe the pair in this footage are Tom and one of his children,” 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.”

Phillips first went bush with his children – Jayda, Maverick and Ember – in September 2021. A massive rescue mission was launched when his Toyota HiLux was found abandoned on Kiritehere Beach.

Only two weeks later, they returned, but the homecoming was short-lived. They disappeared again about two months later.

Police allege it’s the second time Phillips has targeted this convenience store, having attempted to steal items in November 2023. In that incident, a stolen quad bike was used to smash the shop’s glass windows, but the sounding of an alarm prompted the robbers to flee.

Phillips already faces a range of charges, including aggravated robbery, aggravated wounding, and unlawful possession of a firearm, Stuff reports.

In one incident in May 2023, Phillips and one of his children were allegedly armed when they robbed an ANZ bank in Te Kuiti, escaping on a black motorcycle. In another, Phillips was spotted at a Bunnings store in August 2023, quickly leaving when he realised he’d been recognised.

In June 2024, NZ Police announced an $80,000 reward for anyone who came forward with information that led to the discovery of the children, renewing their search efforts with checkpoints and aerial searches.

“Immunity against prosecution will be considered for anyone who has committed an offence in assisting Tom Phillips, if they provide information or evidence which leads to the location and safe return of the children,” Saunders said at the time.

“Police have concerns for the welfare of the children who have been living in isolation … with no connection to others and without formal education and healthcare.”

While various tips were received, none of them led police to locate the family.

The most recent sighting came in October 2024, when the family was filmed crossing farmland by two boys who were hunting pigs about an hour’s drive from the famous Waitomo Caves on North Island near Marokopa. The family were clad in camouflage and carrying large backpacks.

One of the boys told Stuff the eldest girl, Jayda, spoke to him.

“I said, ‘This is private property’, and she was like, ‘Yeah … duh.’ Then I asked, ‘Does anyone know you’re on here?’ and she said, ‘No, just you guys.’ ”

The family kept walking towards Marokopa. The boys didn’t think the children were in any distress, but took a video as evidence – believing they had caught poachers in the act.

The sighting was the first time Phillips had been seen with all three children, sparking another massive search effort. After three days of scouring the region via land and air, authorities abandoned the effort.

The children’s mother, Cat, told The New Zealand Herald at the time that she was relieved to see her “babies” alive.

“I’m so happy that they’re all there,” she said. “I’m so relieved to see all three of my babies. They’re all alive.”

How Phillips and his children have survived years in the bush and evaded authorities since going on the run is not known, but police suspect he has been helped by supporters. Phillips does not have legal custody of the children.

Saunders said the robbery of milk and groceries could indicate Phillips no longer has support.

“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?” Saunders asked.

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