In a daring display of criminal activity, Cody Denning found himself in hot water after being apprehended and charged with multiple offenses, including burglary, theft of property, and vandalism. These charges stem from his involvement in a break-in at Underdog Collectibles, a popular store in Knoxville teeming with valuable memorabilia.
The Knoxville Police Department wasted no time in their investigation of the incident, revealing that Denning had shattered the store’s front window to gain unlawful entry before making off with a staggering 17 autographed jerseys worth nearly $22,000. Denning’s reckless actions not only resulted in significant financial losses for the store but also triggered a series of events that would lead to his eventual arrest.
The sequence of events began to unfold late on May 18, as surveillance footage captured Denning visiting the store earlier in the evening, seemingly scouting out the jerseys he would later target. His suspicious behavior included handling and rearranging the valuable jerseys around 8:50 p.m. During this time, he even made mention to his wife about his nefarious plans to return later and steal the prized items, setting the stage for the subsequent criminal act.
Under the cloak of darkness, Denning returned to the scene of the crime and executed his thievery with precision. Utilizing a large rock, he shattered the storefront window, granting him unrestricted access to the store’s inventory. In the early hours of the morning, he embarked on two separate thefts, swiftly absconding with the coveted autographed jerseys that would later become the focal point of the police investigation.
Denning’s attempts to offload the stolen goods did not go unnoticed, as he brazenly tried to peddle two of the pilfered jerseys at a nearby sports retailer, Pro Image Sports located in West Town Mall. Moreover, incriminating evidence surfaced from surveillance footage captured within Denning’s vehicle, revealing the presence of several missing hats that had also been reported stolen from Underdog Collectibles, further solidifying his role in the burglary.
In response to the unsettling violation of their store, Underdog Collectibles took to social media platforms, imploring the public to aid in the recovery of the stolen goods. They issued a heartfelt plea for anyone who may come into possession of the pilfered jerseys to reach out to them promptly. To facilitate the process of identification and verification, the store made provision for the unique serial numbers associated with each jersey to be used as a means of confirming their authenticity.
Despite the chaos wrought by Denning’s criminal escapade, Underdog Collectibles reassured their loyal patrons and concerned citizens that the physical damage inflicted upon the store was minimal. Moreover, they took solace in the fact that no individuals were harmed or endangered during the commission of the burglary. As they continue to press forward with their recovery efforts, the store remains reliant on the goodwill and cooperation of the community to assist in reclaiming the stolen merchandise, thereby thwarting any further illicit activities and aiding in the apprehension of the perpetrator.