Marokopa locals ‘really over it’ as police hone in to find Tom Phillips
Friday, 14 June 2024
Sirens wail before dawn in sleepy Marokopa as police get “desperate” to find Tom Phillips and his three children.
They’ve been missing for more than two-and-a-half years. Police on Tuesday announced an $80,000 reward for information leading to the safe return of Ember, 8, Maverick, 9, and Jayda Phillips, 10.
The reward offer’s open for two weeks, during which time four police checkpoints are in town, with three crews deployed to mind them daily.
Police on the ground say it is to make their presence felt and for people to come forward with information.
However, Marokopa resident Gale Keegan calls it the “hiss and roar” before everything goes quiet again.
“He's not gonna come out over these next two weeks.”
Keegan, who works at Marokopa Camping Ground, thought the big reward meant police were “getting pretty desperate”.
However, the missing man “obviously” had support and the cash might not sway tippers.
“That kind of money nowadays doesn't buy you much.”
Keegan says the town has become silent since police started patrolling.
“He's always been in the bush so his life doesn't bother anyone.”
If anyone from the community saw Phillips, Keegan said they would contact at least his parents, if not the police.
“It must be pretty stressful on them being grandparents.”
Keegan had seen Phillips and the kids “when they were little” at the campground, but would not recognise them now.
The only giveaway would be “if he's got the three kids”.
There are many places to hide in and around Marokopa as the landscape is packed with dense bushes and caves.
Phillips was brought up in the bush, Keegan said, and knew his way around.
“He's obviously worried about their [kids] safety, and if you know the bush there is a lot of safety in the bush.
“It is all private land.”
“Whatever he's doing, whatever is in his head, so long as he keeps the kids happy and fed.”
The children have been missing since December 12, 2021, when they were taken by their father to a location thought to be in Western Waikato within Marokopa or the surrounding areas.
Since then, Phillips has allegedly robbed a Te Kūiti bank with a firearm and broken into a shop in Piopio - both possibly with a child.
Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said the police helicopter, the Eagle, supported the operation in Marokopa on Wednesday night.
Police were assessing and following up information received since the reward was announced, Saunders said.
“The response has been encouraging, but our focus remains on the safe return of the children.”
“While the operation is ongoing, we will not be elaborating on the information that has been received.”
Concerns included that the kids had been living “with no connection to others and without formal education and health care”, he said.
He also acknowledged the “ongoing disruption to the Marokopa community” during the investigation.
However, a resident - who spoke to Waikato Times on the condition of anonymity, was frustrated by sirens wailing before 5am and three police cars speeding past their residence.
“We are really over it, everyone is so done.”
He said $80,000 reward wasn’t good enough, but hoped police received useful information.
“You wonder why it's taken 2.5 years for them to get off their arse and do something about it too.
A couple from Te Awamutu visiting Marokopa for a holiday said they did not know about Phillips until now.
A road worker on the outskirts of the rural town said he wouldn’t know if Phillips passed the site.
He’d seen an increasing number of cars and police presence in the area since Tuesday.
Police continued to urge anyone with credible, current information on where the Phillips children were to make themselves known.
Alternatively, you can email the dedicated email address op.curly@police.govt.nz or contact Police on 105 or online at 105.police.govt.nz clicking ‘Update Report’ and referencing file number 211218/5611.