CCTV videos released by New Zealand police are believed to show the father of a fugitive who ran away with his three children in the remote wilderness for nearly four years.
Thomas Callam Phillips took their home from Marokopa, North Island in December 2021, hiding his children in the New Zealand jungle.
Possible sightings after Phillips' relatives who urged his father to go home last week.
Police released a clip on Friday showing two masked people loading groceries into containers of quad bikes outside the retail store, 35 miles away from the small town of Piopio. The incident happened around 2 a.m. Wednesday, shortly before the store was stolen.
New CCTV is believed to show the fugitive's father, who spent several years in the wilderness
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New CCTV is believed to show the fugitive's father, who spent several years in the wilderness
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The store owner, who did not want to be named, told CNN affiliate RNZ Milk that although vegetables and butter were also on display, it was the only thing to be taken.
He said the two men used an angle grinder to cut the padlock on the store's outdoor chiller, triggering the alarm clock, and the two grabbed some milk and fled the four-wheeled bike.
“They rejected the opportunity to store butter, cheese and vegetables in the cooler,” he added.
Detective Senior Sgt Andy Saunders said officials are investigating any contact with Phillips, a store he believes failed to succeed in November 2023.
“We believe the couple on the video are Tom and one of his children,” Sanders said.
“They stayed in the area for 13 minutes, taking a quad in and out,” he added.
Police believe Phillips and his children live off-net and the father uses his survival skills to feed, shelter and dress his children. They also believe that supporters are helping him stay overall.
Speaking in local media Friday morning, Sanders said the break-in may be that Phillips is no longer getting his help.
“Does this mean he's likely to be as troubled as who is helping him? Or is he just the brave and confident he's happy to come out at night and commit a theft?” he said, as RNZ reported.
Last June, police provided a $80,000 New Zealand dollar ($52,000) reward to provide information to its location and safe return.
A series of suspected crimes include an armed robbery at a bank in May 2023 when two people were seen on CCTV and escaped cash.
Phillips has faced a series of charges, including aggravated robbery, aggravated injury and illegal possession of a firearm.
In his first interview since Phillips' disappearance, his sister, Rozzi Phillips, told New Zealand journalist Paddy Gower that the family missed him and hoped he would return.
“I miss you, I miss your life.” “You are special to me…I really want to see you again.”
Rozzi Phillips told Gower that she had not had contact with her brother since her brother disappeared, and he read a handwritten letter from his mother to his missing son.
“Whenever I see the kids and your pictures, it hurts, seeing something you are still here, thinking about what would happen if you didn't go away,” the letter said.
“Jayda, Maverick, Ember, I love you so much and really miss a part of my daily life that I wake up and hope today will be the day you come,” it continued.
In November 2023, Phillips and an unnamed child allegedly smashed a shop window at 2 a.m. before fleeing a stolen four-wheeled bike. Phillips also found his face on CCTV and purchased supplies at the hardware store.
Last year, the information that mothers who identified themselves as cats called police officers for anyone who called the whereabouts of their children caused an emotional attraction.
“I stood in front of you today and begged you to help your baby get home,” she said in a video posted on Facebook. “They are just innocent children.”
“She will be a young woman now and she needs a mother,” she said.
She added: “ember is asthma, just like me, she needs health care from the land. I can only imagine how the calves cope.”
“What Thomas is doing is not OK,” she said. “Nothing is OK. My baby deserves better.”
“This is three kids, they have been away from home for four years. Their health is our main focus,” the Detective Senior Sgt.