There has been a fourth sighting of Marokopa father Tom Phillips, who has been missing with his three kids for over 18 months.
Jayda, 10, Maverick, 8, and Ember Phillips, 7, along with their father, have been missing since December 2021.
Inspector Will Loughrin said yesterday there had been three reported sightings of Phillips, but not the children, across Waikato on Wednesday.
Police say the welfare of the three kids missing with him are their highest priority. (Source: 1News)
Today on Breakfast, Inspector Loughrin said there had been a fourth sighting on Wednesday at Bunnings South in Hamilton.
Police also released an image of who they believe to be Phillips shopping while disguised at Bunnings, at around 3 or 4pm.
Phillips was seen driving a stolen brown/bronze 2003 Toyota Hilux flat-deck ute in the Pokuru area near Te Awamutu at 12.30pm yesterday afternoon.
There was also a sighting of Phillips at the Bunnings Te Rapa car park in Hamilton at about 4pm by a person known to him.
At 6.45pm yesterday, the same ute was seen again in Kawhia and Phillips was believed to be behind the wheel. Loughrin said there was an altercation between Phillips and another man.
He said the altercation was between Tom and a member of the community who recognised him, which led to the person calling police, which “allowed us to piece a number of things together”.
Loughrin is now calling on the public to assist with the search for Phillips, saying the community needs to be the police's "eyes and ears".
"Look out for this vehicle, and look out for Tom and the children."
He said the search is "not about Tom" and is focused on securing the welfare of the children.
"Concerns for the children are always front and centre for us, which is why we are determined to bring the children home."
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