Tom Phillips, the father who kidnapped his three children in New Zealand in 2021, was finally arrested last week after four years on the run, during an attempted robbery.
Phillips’ Kidnapping History:
Phillips gained notoriety in September 2021 when he first kidnapped his children following an argument with his wife. He claimed to have taken them “on a longer trip.” In December of the same year, he took his kids – Ember (9), Maverick (10), and Jayda (11) – from his home in Marokopa, Waikato, and went missing. He had been wanted by police ever since.
Arrest After Four-Year Manhunt:
The breakthrough came on September 8, after four years of searching. Around 2:30 AM local time, police received a report of a burglary at a Piopio convenience store on North Island. The culprit escaped on a quad bike, damaging the vehicle in the process as he fled from a police roadblock. During the pursuit, a shootout occurred, resulting in the wanted man’s death. He was later identified as Tom Philips.
Life on the Run with Children:
During the attempted theft, one of the children present received medical help. The remaining two children were later found. Phillips had reportedly been living with them in a camping field near the store and had been hiding in New Zealand’s uninhabited areas without access to electricity. The family likely received help from third parties while living off hunting or farming. Security cameras documented his multiple break-ins and his attempts to travel through the bush with the children.
