In May two people, both armed, entered a bank on Rora Street, Te Kuiti and demanded cash and fled the scene on a black, farm-style motorbike. Photo: Supplied / Police
Missing Marokopa man Tom Phillips has a warrant out for his arrest after he was linked to a bank robbery in May, police say.
Phillips has been charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated wounding and unlawfully possessing a firearm, Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said.
In May two people, both armed, entered a bank on Rora Street, Te Kuiti and demanded cash, Saunders said.
They fled the scene on a black, farm-style motorbike.
The other person involved was yet to be identified by police.
Police urge the public to report any sightings of Phillips on 111 quoting file number 230516/7295 or via dedicated email address - op.curly@police.govt.nz.
"We also urge people not to take action themselves as Mr Phillips potentially still has firearms in his possession.
"Additionally, police remain concerned about the welfare of the Phillips children, who were officially reported as missing in December 2021."
Phillips and his three children Jayda, 10, Maverick, 8, and Ember, 7 were reported missing from Marokopa by family on 18 January, 2022. It was not the first time Phillips had taken the children and disappeared.
Police earlier said Phillips' second disappearance breached a parenting order and there was a warrant out for his arrest after he failed to appear in court in relation to their first disappearance in September 2021.
His first disappearance with the children sparked an extensive search.
In August police said they believed Phillips was setting up a campsite after he was spotted buying things from Bunnings.
Phillips was seen several times by Waikato locals earlier in August - the first confirmed sightings of him since early last year. His children were not with him.
Police had previously appealed for sightings of a number of motorbikes connected with the case as well as a ute, which had since been found.