There are new developments in the case of Marokopa fugitive Tom Phillips and his three missing children who disappeared in December 2021.
Police have released CCTV of what they believe is Tom and one of the children after the alleged theft of a red quad bike near Marokopa 12 days ago.
But that's not the only development.
Last week Newshub asked police about a red farm-style quad bike reported stolen on November 2 from a Marokopa Rd property.
On Tuesday police revealed they believe it was missing father Tom Phillips and one of his children that drove that bike south.
They claim CCTV footage shows them in Piopio where they are alleged to have broken the front glass of a store, before fleeing north as the alarm sounded about 2am.
Police say any reported sightings of this red quad bike are the best chance they have to locate Tom, whose children Jayda, Maverick and Ember, haven't been seen for 23 months.
"We are urging anyone who may have any information, no matter how small, to please come forward to Police," Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said in an update on Tuesday.
Newshub has learned a former girlfriend of Phillips, who police believe he had a baby with prior to disappearing, has been helping with the investigation.
It's understood she gave birth to a little boy about two years ago. A police source has confirmed they know who this woman is, and have spoken with her several times as part of routine inquiries.
Tom Phillips is accused of robbing Te Kuiti's ANZ bank at gunpoint back in May with a female who was seen escaping with him on the back of a motorbike.
Police National HQ will not be drawn on whether they know who that female is.
Tom Phillip's mother Julia called the new information about a girlfriend "past history" when approached by Newshub and said right now what's important is a focus on "information that brings Jayda, Maverick and Ember home safely".
