In a shocking turn of events, a brazen act of theft unfolded at Underdog Collectibles in Knoxville, leading to the loss of nearly $22,000 worth of valuable autographed jerseys. The perpetrator behind this audacious crime was none other than Cody Denning, who has since been arrested and charged with various offenses, including burglary, theft of property, and vandalism.
The Knoxville Police Department was quick to respond to the incident, reporting that Denning had smashed the store’s front window before making away with a total of 17 prized autographed jerseys. The daring burglary took place on the night of May 18, with Denning first visiting the store to apparently scope out the jerseys he later targeted. Surveillance footage captured his initial visit, during which he meticulously inspected and rearranged the jerseys, hinting at his sinister plans.
Hours after his initial visit, Denning returned to the store with criminal intentions. In the early hours of the morning, he forcibly entered the premises by hurling a rock through the store window, proceeding to carry out two separate thefts. Denning’s actions did not go unnoticed, as attempts to sell some of the stolen jerseys at a local sports retailer, Pro Image Sports in West Town Mall, were caught on camera. Furthermore, surveillance footage from Denning’s vehicle revealed the presence of additional stolen items, such as hats reported missing from Underdog Collectibles, solidifying his role in the burglary.
Following the unfortunate incident, Underdog Collectibles took to social media to seek the public’s assistance in recovering the stolen jerseys. They implored anyone who may come across the stolen merchandise to reach out to them for verification using the provided serial numbers, in the hopes of both apprehending the culprit and reclaiming the pilfered items. Despite the setback, the store reassured the public that the damage caused during the break-in was minimal and that no individuals were harmed in the process.
Underdog Collectibles continues to appeal to the public for support in tracing the stolen jerseys, aiming to prevent further theft incidences and bolster their efforts to retrieve the valuable merchandise. The community’s cooperation remains crucial in aiding the store’s quest for justice and the safe return of the autographed jerseys to their rightful owners.
