In a daring act of criminality, Cody Denning found himself on the wrong side of the law after allegedly robbing Underdog Collectibles in Knoxville. The hefty price tag attached to his loot had heads turning—$22,000 worth of autographed jerseys vanished, leaving the store in a state of shock.
The Knoxville Police Department moved swiftly to apprehend Denning and formally charged him with a string of offenses including burglary, theft of property, and vandalism. Authorities reported that Denning’s brazen escapade involved shattering the storefront window before making a quick getaway with 17 prized autographed jerseys, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.
Denning’s scheme unfolded under the cover of darkness on May 18, with his initial visit to the store serving as a scouting mission to identify the valuable jerseys he would later target. Surveillance footage played a crucial role in unraveling Denning’s actions, capturing him meticulously studying and rearranging the jerseys around 8:50 p.m. that evening. Little did the store know, Denning was already hatching his nefarious plans and even casually shared his intentions with his wife during his first visit.
Under the cloak of night, Denning struck, this time with a rock in hand that he ruthlessly hurled through the store’s window to gain access to his coveted prizes. The late-night thefts were executed with precision, resulting in the disappearance of the coveted jerseys that held substantial value to the store and its clientele.
A twist in the tale emerged when Denning attempted to offload his ill-gotten gains at a local sports retailer, Pro Image Sports in West Town Mall. His misjudgment was caught on camera as he tried to peddle two of the stolen jerseys, inadvertently sealing his fate as the prime suspect in the robbery. The thief’s vehicle also doubled as a damning piece of evidence, with surveillance footage revealing the presence of several hats reported missing from Underdog Collectibles.
Following the shocking incident, Underdog Collectibles turned to social media in a bid to rally support from the community in recovering the stolen jerseys. The store launched a plea for vigilance, urging anyone who might encounter the pilfered items to contact them promptly. Through the serial numbers provided, the store aimed to verify the authenticity of the jerseys, inching closer to nabbing the culprit and reclaiming the stolen merchandise.
Despite the turmoil caused by the break-in, Underdog Collectibles assured its patrons that the physical damage to the store was minimal and, more importantly, that no individuals were harmed during the ordeal. The store’s proactive approach in enlisting public assistance serves as a beacon of hope, underlining the collective effort required to thwart future thefts and expedite the recovery of the valuable merchandise.