AN INFAMOUS fugitive dubbed “Bushman” who disappeared with his kids four years ago has been spotted breaking into a store, police believe.
Tom Phillips went off-grid with his three children in New Zealand and is wanted for a range of charges including robbery and possession of a gun.
Tom, a competent bushman, disappeared with his kids in December 2021[/caption]
New CCTV footage shows two masked figures on the streets of Piopio, on the north island, breaking entry into a shop.
Police say they nabbed a stash of “grocery items” from inside.
They are seen loading up their bounty onto a quadbike before speeding off.
Tom vanished into the wilderness in December 2021 after losing legal custody of his kids – Jayda, 11, Maverick, 10 and Ember, nine – to his wife.
A national manhunt has been live ever since and he has been spotted various time, but the authorities have so far failed to catch the accomplished bushman.
Cops say there are “confident” that the two people in this footage are Tom and one of his children.
They released the tape in the hope that members of the public would report any further sightings of the family.
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.”
The dad faces a range of charges including aggravated robbery, aggravated wounding and illegally possessing a firearm, police said.
He stands accused of robbing a bank and firing a gun at a supermarket worker in 2023.
The authorities previously said they believe Tom had been helped out by other people.
After the latest sighting, they are “considering what this burglary actually means”, according to Saunders.
The detective said: “Does it mean that 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 and commit a burglary?”
Tom and his three kids were spotted last October for the first time since vanishing.
Police said at the time that they were seriously concerned about the children because they have had no contact with anyone nor and education for the past few years.
A cash reward was offered last year for information leading to the safe return of the kids – but it expired before being claimed.
There was another suspected sighting in February this year, when a member of the public reported spotting four people dressed in camouflage in a layby on State Highway 4, south of Te Kūiti.
Tom’s family has publicly pleaded with him to come forward.
Tom’s sister Rozzi went on TV this year pleading for him to come forward[/caption]
This month, Tom’s mum Julia wrote in local media: “Tom – I feel really sad that you thought you had to do this. Not considering how much we love you and can support you.
“It hurts every time I see photos of the children and of you and see some of your stuff that is still here.
“Thinking what could have been if you had not gone away.
“Jayda, Maverick, Ember – I love you so much and really miss being part of your lives.
“Everyday I wake up and hope that today will be the day that you will come home.”
Speaking to Stuff.co.nz, his sister Rozzi Phillips echoed Julia’s sentiment.
She said: “Maybe he’s going to see this, and maybe he’s going to get to see that he can come home, and that we are here for him, and it might just be okay.
“There’s a lot of love and there’s a lot of support, and we’re ready to help you walk through what you need to walk through.
“I miss you, and I miss being part of your life, and I really want to see you and the kids and be part of your lives again.
“You’re very special to me. You’re my friend, as well as my brother, and I love you, and it’s okay.”
