Fugitive Tom Phillips now has a warrant out for his arrest after police linked him to a bank robbery in Te Kūiti in May.
He is wanted for aggravated robbery, aggravated wounding, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Phillips and his three children, Jayda, Maverick, and Ember, were reported missing from their Marokopa home in January 2022.
He was sighted several times last month, driving a stolen vehicle, but has since been untraceable.
Police are urging people not to take action against Phillips if they see him, because he may be armed.
Police will hold a media standup later this morning.
Otorohanga mayor Max Baxter, says the latest news has come as a shock, and concern for the Phillips children is growing.
Baxter spoke to Corin Dann.
