In a daring display of criminal activity, Cody Denning found himself in hot water after being apprehended and charged with a string of offenses, including burglary, theft of property, and vandalism. The incident took place at Underdog Collectibles in Knoxville, where the sneaky burglar managed to snatch 17 prized autographed jerseys, resulting in a staggering loss of nearly $22,000 for the store.
The Knoxville Police Department wasted no time in responding to the heist, swiftly taking Denning into custody for his brazen break-in. Reports revealed that Denning forcefully smashed through the store’s front window before absconding with the valuable jerseys during the late hours of May 18. Prior to the burglary, Denning had been spotted at the store earlier in the evening, surreptitiously surveying the merchandise he would later pilfer. Security footage captured him meticulously inspecting and shuffling the jerseys around at around 8:50 p.m., hinting at his premeditated plans.
Denning’s criminal escapade did not end with the theft itself. Following the robbery, he attempted to offload his ill-gotten gains by trying to sell two of the stolen jerseys at a local sports retailer, Pro Image Sports in West Town Mall. The authorities were quick to connect the dots, attributing the missing hats reported by the store to Denning as well, as evidence from surveillance footage from his vehicle surfaced.
After the unfortunate incident, Underdog Collectibles took to social media to seek the public’s help in recovering the purloined jerseys. They implored anyone who may stumble upon the stolen items to reach out to them promptly for identification, citing unique serial numbers as reference points. By engaging the community in their pursuit, the store aimed to not only bring the culprit to justice but also to secure the return of the stolen merchandise, thwarting any further illicit activities.
Despite the significant financial blow suffered from the theft, Underdog Collectibles reassured the public that the structural damage caused by the break-in was minimal. Moreover, they emphasized that no individuals were harmed during the course of the burglary, underscoring their relief at the absence of any physical altercations. As they continue to advocate for assistance from the community in tracking down the missing jerseys, the store remains steadfast in their efforts to safeguard their inventory and uphold the integrity of their business.