Structure fire investigation in Waynesville

PRESS RELEASE – On 2/22/2022 at 12:22 a.m. a fire was reported at 1546 South Main Street. Upon the arrival of the Waynesville Fire Department, an enclosed trailer was found fully engulfed in flames.

The fire was also spreading to the building located beside the trailer. The quick work of the WFD resulted in the fire being contained and extinguished.

Upon further investigation, it was found that the trailer had been broken into and items were missing. In addition, video surveillance footage from the area provided Detectives with a vehicle which quickly led to identifying the suspect. On the morning of 2/22/2022 with the assistance of the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office, Keith Brody Parks, 37 years of age was taken into custody at his home at 18 Aspen Place, Waynesville N.C.

At this time, Parks had outstanding warrants for his arrest regarding unrelated crimes here in Waynesville. In addition to finding Parks, the vehicle in question was also located. In plain view, Detectives and Deputies were able to see evidence related to the fire and the breaking and entering that had occurred at 1546 South Main Street.

This led to a search warrant being executed at Parks residence which resulted in the collection of evidence related to this crime and others. Parks also agreed to speak with Detectives about this incident and in doing so he provided a statement in regard to his actions on this night.

At this time, this investigation is ongoing as detectives work to identify any additional crimes that have been committed.

The Waynesville Police Department would like to thank the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office Crime Suppression Unit and Criminal Investigation Division for their assistance with this investigation.

We would also like to thank the Waynesville Fire Department and Haywood County Fire Marshal for their hard work and assistance with this case. As always, we are tremendously grateful for these relationships and the partnerships we have as we serve this community together.

Keith Brody Parks is no stranger to the WPD and other Law Enforcement Agencies in the area. Prior to this incident, Parks was out on 13 pending charges including felony larceny, habitual felon, and felony fraud charges. Parks was first convicted of a felony in 2002 in Haywood County Superior Court.

As of this release Parks is being held at the Haywood County Detention Center under a $120,000 secured bond for the following charges:

Injury to Real Property

Possession of Burglary Tools – Felony

Burning of Personal Property – Felony

Burning of Certain Buildings – Felony

Breaking & Entering – Felony

Larceny – Felony

Possession of Stolen Goods – Felony

Emma Dunn