In a daring act of thievery, Cody Denning found himself in hot water after his crime spree at Underdog Collectibles in Knoxville. The authorities wasted no time in apprehending Denning, who now faces a slew of charges, including burglary, theft of property, and vandalism. The Knoxville Police Department sprang into action following the incident, where Denning brazenly smashed the store’s window and made off with 17 prized autographed jerseys, racking up a staggering $22,000 in losses for the store.
The saga began to unfold late on May 18, with Denning making an initial visit to the store that seemed innocuous at first. Little did the store know that this visit was merely a reconnaissance mission for Denning to stake out the precious jerseys he would later pilfer. Surveillance footage later revealed Denning meticulously inspecting and rearranging the jerseys around 8:50 p.m. that evening before dropping ominous hints to his wife about his impending return. True to his word, Denning returned under the cover of darkness, launching into action by hurling a rock through the storefront window to gain illicit entry. In the wee hours of the morning, he conducted not one but two heists to ensure a bountiful haul of stolen goods.
Denning’s audacious attempts at offloading some of the ill-gotten gains were swiftly nipped in the bud when he tried to peddle a couple of the jerseys at a nearby sports retailer, Pro Image Sports in West Town Mall. The long arm of the law managed to connect the dots further by tracing Denning’s movements through surveillance footage from his vehicle, which conspicuously housed several hats that were also reported missing from the store. These pieces of evidence left little doubt about Denning’s central role in the grand theft jersey caper.
In the aftermath of this calamity, the management at Underdog Collectibles took to social media in a bid to rally support from the community in recovering the purloined jerseys. They implored anyone who might chance upon the jerseys to promptly reach out to them for verification purposes, citing the distinct serial numbers adorning the stolen items. By enlisting the public’s help, the store hoped to not only bring the felon to justice but also to reclaim the stolen merchandise and prevent any subsequent thefts from occurring.
Despite the brazen burglary, there was a silver lining amidst the gloom for Underdog Collectibles. The physical damage sustained by the store was mercifully minimal, and, most importantly, no individuals were harmed during Denning’s reckless escapade. The store’s optimistic outlook remained unscathed as they persevered in appealing to the public for aid in locating the missing jerseys. This collective effort was crucial not only to safeguarding the store’s inventory but also to bolster their ongoing endeavors to recover the stolen goods.
As the investigation into this audacious heist continues to unfold, the swift actions of law enforcement and the unwavering support from the community stand as a beacon of hope for Underdog Collectibles. While the road to justice may be long and arduous, one thing remains crystal clear—no jersey thief can escape the determined pursuit of justice and the united front of a community rallying behind a beloved store.
