North Dakota State Football Player Faces Felony Theft Charges

A North Dakota State football player, William Fratalon, has been removed from the team after reportedly stealing a duffel bag with luxury items valued at over $270,000 during the Fourth of July weekend in Minnesota.

At just 20 years old, Fratalon is facing charges for felony theft of property exceeding $35,000. The accused is alleged to have taken designer bags from a boat docked at Maynard’s restaurant on Lake Minnetonka, which is around 25 miles from Minneapolis.

According to reports, the stolen items included a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch worth $228,000, limited-edition clothing worth approximately $25,000, and cash amounting to between $5,000 and $10,000, among others. An individual identified in court documents mentioned that he had stored his bags securely in a secluded cabin before heading into the restaurant. Upon returning, they discovered their bags were missing.

Witnesses claimed an employee saw Fratalon carrying a large bag into the dining area, leading to his ejection due to the restaurant’s policies.

Following the incident, one of the passengers reached out to Fratalon when they realized the bags were gone. Authorities executed a search warrant at Fratalon’s home in Wayzata, where a bag was found in his room, although the prized Rolex was not recovered. Surveillance footage allegedly showed Fratalon on the boat around the time of the theft.

Fratalon was arrested on August 1 and later released from jail three days after. He was dismissed from the North Dakota State football program shortly after his arrest.

NDSU head coach Tim Poracek commented that Fratalon was expelled for violating team rules.

Fratalon’s initial court appearance is set for September 11. His attorney had not responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting.