Hunt for Tom Phillips moves from Marokopa (2024)

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New Zealandcrime

14 Jun 2024

12:52 pm on 14 June 2024

Hunt for Tom Phillips moves from Marokopa (1)

Photo: RNZ / Maia Ingoe

Police searching for fugitive father Tom Phillips have left the small Waikato settlement of Marokopa after three days of checkpoints.

Checkpoints around the small coastal town were lifted on Friday morning.

While there were earlier suggestions police had move to the nearby town of Otorohanga, there did not appear to be a police presence there on Friday either.

On Tuesday, the police offered an $80,000 reward for information leading to the safe return of Phillips' three children - Jayda, Maverick and Ember.

They also raised the possibility of immunity from prosecution for anyone who has been helping the family stay hidden.

The patience of Marokopa locals had been wearing thin after two-and-a-half-years. Police earlier indicated they believed someone was helping them stay hidden in the Marokopa area.

One woman told Morning Report when his ute was found abandoned in September 2021, Marokopa residents came out in force to help search. She believed Phillips was not thinking of what was best for his young family.

Hunt for Tom Phillips moves from Marokopa (2)

Police earlier set up checkpoints around Marokopa . Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

The reward expires on June 25.

RNZ's Natalie Akoorie, reporting from the King Country village, told Morning Report when the family first disappeared there was huge outpouring of worry and support in Marokopa, and police investigating the case were helped and even fed by locals.

But now there were growing frustrations, with locals repeatedly being breathalysed. Some felt there was a lot of negative focus on the town, Akoorie said, and wanted it to go away and for Phillips to do the right thing and turn himself in.

By and large residents supported the latest police effort however, if it brings an end to the saga. But it was not clear what the police operation was actually doing and how they expected it might bring about the return of the children.

Philips does not have legal custody of the children. Police say he is armed, and should not be approached.

Hunt for Tom Phillips moves from Marokopa (3)

Marokopa in the King Country. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

There have been unconfirmed sightings of the group, including at a thermal hot pools two hours' drive from Marokopa.

Police on Thursday said they had been continuing to receive and assess information as they sought the safe return of the three children.

"We have concerns for the welfare of the children who have been living in isolation for the past two-and-a-half-years, with no connection to others and without formal education and healthcare," Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said.

He urged anyone with credible information to get in touch.

Anyone wanting to contact them can do so by emailing op.curly@police.govt.nz, calling 105 or filing a report online, using the reference number 211218/5611.

Saunders also acknowledged Marokopa residents coping with the disruption as search efforts continued, and thanked them for their understanding.

Tags:

  • crime
  • Waikato

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Hunt for Tom Phillips moves from Marokopa (2024)

FAQs

What is the reward for Marokopa? ›

There's an $80,000 reward for information on Tom Phillips and his children, missing from Marokopa for more than two-and-a-half years.

Who are the missing children in Marokopa? ›

Tom Phillips vanishes for the first time with his three young children Jayda, now aged 11, Maverick, now aged 9, and Ember, now aged 7, from a beach near Marokopa. 1 The discovery of his ute on the shoreline sparks a major land and sea search.

Who is the father of Marokopa? ›

Tom Phillips and his three children have been missing from Marokopa since December 2021. An $80,000 reward was recently offered by police for information that would lead to their safe return.

What did Tom Phillips do? ›

While on the run, Phillips is alleged to have robbed a bank, shot at a supermarket worker, stolen a ute and a quad bike, and tried to break into a shop.

What is the extrabuck reward? ›

To earn rewards at the pharmacy, you must enroll in ExtraCare and sign the Privacy Authorization. You will receive $2 ExtraBucks Rewards after earning 4 credits for pharmacy activities, up to $50 in ExtraBucks Rewards in a calendar year.

What is the chocolate fish reward? ›

A chocolate fish or choccy fish is a traditional confectionery item in New Zealand. In New Zealand culture, it is a common reward for a job done well ("Give that kid a chocolate fish"). Chocolate fish have a conventional fish-shape and a length of 5 to 8 centimetres (2.0 to 3.1 in).

How old are the Marokopa children? ›

Police have been searching for Ember, eight, Maverick, nine, and Jayda, 10, since December 2021, when they were taken by Phillips to an unknown location - though police believe it was in Western Waikato within Marokopa or the surrounding areas.

Which of the missing children died first? ›

Cassidy, the first of the 5 children to die. Jeremy, the second to die. Gabriel, the third to die. Fritz, the fourth to die. And Susie, the last to die but the first of the five to turn into an animatronic.

Who is the mother of the Marokopa children? ›

Ember, Maverick and Jayda Phillips have been missing along with their father for two and a half years. Police believe they are in the Marokopa area in the King Country. Today their mum, Cat, said she was begging for people's help in finding them. In a video provided by police she said: "They are just innocent children.

Who is the father of Oduduwa in the Bible? ›

The Yoruba migration tradition regarding Oduduwa is a view according to which Oduduwa originated from Mecca through his biological father Lamurudu, who was a king in Mecca (Folorunso 2003:87). Oduduwa, then a prince, came to Nigeria together with his two children.

Who is the father of Sayeh Rivazfar? ›

Their father, Ahmad Rivazfar, living in New York, gained custody of the surviving girl, Sayeh, and her brother, Arash, after the attack, but a Florida court insisted that the mother be allowed to visit, and later gave custody back to her. The children did not want to see their mother and said that she had abused them.

Who was Tom Phillips' ex-wife? ›

Phillips had been separated from his wife Catherine for several years and was homeschooling the children.

How many kids does Tom Phillips have? ›

The location of Tom Phillips and his three children - and who might be helping them stay hidden - remains elusive as an $80,000 reward offer inches closer to being withdrawn. Phillips and his three children Jayda, now 11, Maverick, 9, and Ember, 8, have not been seen since 12 December 2021.

What did Tom get accused of? ›

In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Tom Robinson is a married Black man with three children who is unjustly accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell, by both Mayella and her abusive father, Bob Ewell.

What is the reward of the mining glory treasure map? ›

Reward: Amulet Enchantment - Muspelheim's Blessing. 1 Asgardian Ingot.

What is the reward of the desert quest? ›

Name: Desert Dungeon Quest. Reward: 100 Platinum Coin, Ring of Healing, Ankh, Magic Light Wand, Protection Amulet.

What is the reward of the dung eater quest? ›

If you want to get the item for the ending and complete the Dung Eater's quest, interact with Dung Eater to offer the Seedbed Curses. After offering him five he will reward you with the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse, the item required for one of the endings.

What is the reward for black carp? ›

If you capture a black carp, you ay be eligible for a $100 per carcass bounty.

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