A daring act of theft unfolded at Underdog Collectibles in Knoxville when Cody Denning orchestrated a break-in that resulted in the disappearance of 17 prized autographed jerseys, valued at nearly $22,000. Denning, now facing charges that encompass burglary, theft of property, and vandalism, was identified as the culprit behind this audacious crime, thanks to the investigative efforts of the Knoxville Police Department.
It all began on the evening of May 18, with Denning making his initial visit to the store under the guise of a curious customer. Little did the store staff know that his seemingly harmless interest in the autographed jerseys was a prelude to a meticulously planned heist. Surveillance footage captured Denning meticulously scrutinizing and rearranging the jerseys around 8:50 p.m., subtly laying the groundwork for his later nefarious actions. The fateful night took a turn for the worse when, under the cover of darkness, Denning resorted to violence by shattering the storefront window with a hefty rock, gaining unlawful access to the premises.
In the early hours of the morning, Denning executed two distinct thefts, pilfering the valuable jerseys without remorse. His subsequent attempt to offload some of the stolen items illustrated a level of audacity rarely seen, as he ventured to Pro Image Sports at the West Town Mall to peddle two of the jerseys. Authorities were quick to connect the dots when observing footage from Denning’s vehicle, revealing the presence of additional stolen articles, including hats that had vanished from Underdog Collectibles.
In response to this brazen act, Underdog Collectibles took to social media, imploring the public to aid in the recovery of the pilfered jerseys. Encouraging anyone who encountered the stolen merchandise to reach out and facilitate verification through supplied serial numbers, the store aimed to collaborate with the community in bringing Denning to justice and salvaging the purloined goods.
While the theft inflicted a financial blow on the establishment, with losses amounting to a substantial sum, Underdog Collectibles reassured the public that the physical damage sustained during the break-in was minimal. Fortuitously, no individuals were harmed in the course of this criminal escapade. The store’s plea for assistance from the public remains fervent, as their quest to reclaim the stolen jerseys persists to safeguard against future thefts and advance the restitution process.
