By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
A Richfield man was charged with breaking into a Salisbury couple’s home while they were on their honeymoon. Authorities said the Mossy Oak Lane home was cleared of most of their possessions.
The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Darrell Wayne Parks, 44, of 6860 River Road, with three counts of breaking and entering into a building, one count of misdemeanor larceny, three counts of felony larceny and two counts of possession of stolen goods.
Investigators are also looking for an accomplice. They believe the suspect had to have help moving the furniture.
Parks is accused of stealing about $100,000 in goods.
Based on a tip, investigators discovered the suspect was selling furniture from his house.
Detectives went to the house to speak with the homeowner, where they saw furniture and construction equipment.
According to reports, John Foster went to his son Jeremy’s home to check on the property, when he found it empty.
The only item left in the house was a large sofa and the refrigerator, Sheriff George Wilhelm said.
The suspect had taken items that included the couple’s bedroom suite, washer and dryer, bar stools and a vacuum cleaner.
Officials believe the thief used a stolen trailer to haul the furniture away.
The suspect was also involved in multiple break-ins at a home under construction on Aviation Drive in the Gold Hill area.
A woman who’d been building and furnishing a home was robbed on four different occasions. Most of those break-ins occurred in the spring.
She told authorities at the time someone had gone into the home and taken an air conditioning unit, flooring and light fixtures.
The victim replaced the items and thieves returned.
Investigators have also tied the suspect to the theft of some construction equipment, including a chain saw, from Cabarrus County near the Gold Hill area.
Most of the couple’s belongings were recovered except a wedding dress and some unwrapped wedding gifts, said Capt. John Sifford.
A phone call to Jeremy Foster was not immediately returned.
Parks has since been released from the Rowan County Detention Center under $20,000 secured bond.
Anyone with information about the thefts or the other suspect is asked to contact the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office at 704-216-8700.