In a daring and audacious act of theft, Cody Denning has found himself in hot water after being apprehended and accused of a string of crimes, including burglary, property theft, and vandalism. This sequence of events transpired following his break-in at Underdog Collectibles, a store located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Knoxville Police Department wasted no time in reporting that Denning had smashed through the front window of the business and absconded with a staggering 17 prized autographed jerseys, with a collective worth reaching nearly $22,000 – undoubtedly a hefty blow for the store.
The scheme unfolded late one evening on May 18 as Denning initially visited the store, apparently using the opportunity to scout the coveted jerseys he later made off with. Surveillance cameras managed to capture his every move as he meticulously examined and rearranged the displayed jerseys around 8:50 p.m. during his initial visit. In a surreptitious conversation with his wife, Denning hinted at his nefarious plans to return for the valuable items. True to his word, he materialized his criminal designs mere hours later by violently breaking into the store, hurling a rock through the storefront window, and executing two separate thefts in the early hours of the morning.
Denning’s ill-fated endeavors to offload some of the stolen jerseys were laid bare when he attempted to sell two of the pilfered items at Pro Image Sports, a local sports retailer situated in West Town Mall. Providing further evidence of his involvement in the burglary, authorities also observed in surveillance footage retrieved from Denning’s vehicle a collection of hats that had been reported missing from Underdog Collectibles, solidifying his complicity in the heist.
Following the disturbing incident, Underdog Collectibles took to social media platforms, imploring the public for aid in the recovery of the purloined jerseys. The store issued a heartfelt plea, urging anyone who might stumble upon the stolen goods to promptly get in touch with them. By verifying the serial numbers associated with the jerseys, they hoped to not only bring the perpetrator to justice but also secure the safe return of the stolen merchandise.
While the store acknowledged that there was minimal physical damage sustained during the break-in and thankfully, no individuals were harmed, they continue to solicit the public’s support in tracking down the pilfered jerseys. Their mission is two-fold: to thwart any potential future thefts and to bolster the ongoing efforts to reclaim the stolen items, ultimately restoring a sense of normalcy and security to the impacted business.
