“So, we’ve got to analyse those and prioritise them – so I can’t give you any more of an update at this time,” he told AM host Lloyd Burr.
The Police Commissioner will determine the amount of the reward and will apportion it if there is more than one claimant. Immunity against prosecution will also be considered for anyone who has committed an offence in assisting Phillips, if they provide information or evidence which leads to the location and safe return of the children.
Saunders said it remained unclear whether any of the information received since offering the reward was promising.
“We’ll know later in the day,” he added.
It’s long been feared members of the community could be shielding Tom Phillips and police hope the $80,000 reward will lead to information to bring the children home.
“We’ve got staff on the ground [in Marokopa]; they’re stopping vehicles, they’re speaking to locals, so it doesn’t take long for the word to get out amongst the local community,” Saunders said of the reward.
“We believe they’re somewhere within Marokopa or the surrounding areas and that’s where we’ve got our staff deployed… That’s based on the investigation to date; locations of interest [and] sightings over time.
“The reward is for the safe return of the children – it’s not about the arrest of Tom,” Saunders stressed.
Anyone with information on the family’s whereabouts was urged to contact 105, quoting the file number 211218/5611.
Newshub.