North Dakota State Football Player Booted After Allegedly Stealing $270,000 Luxury Duffel From Minnesota Boat

By Ronald Rodriguez Last updated Sep 10, 2025

Lake Minnetonka, MN – A shocking incident over the Fourth of July weekend has led to the dismissal of William Frattalone, a 20-year-old football player from North Dakota State University (NDSU), after being accused of stealing a luxury duffel bag filled with high-value items from a boat docked at a Minnesota restaurant.

The alleged theft involved a designer duffel bag containing luxury goods worth more than $270,000, including a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Platinum Ice Blue Index Dial watch valued at $228,000, cash, limited-edition clothing, and other expensive items. This incident has raised serious concerns about player conduct and security at popular recreational spots.

The Alleged Theft and Investigation

Frattalone is charged with one count of felony theft of property valued over $35,000, according to official jail records. The alleged theft took place at Maynard’s Restaurant on Lake Minnetonka, about 25 miles from Minneapolis.

The designer duffel bag, valued at $2,400, contained:
- A Rolex watch worth $228,000
- Limited-edition clothing valued at around $25,000
- A bottle of cologne priced at $400
- Between $5,000 to $10,000 in cash
An eyewitness, labeled as I.B. in the complaint, saw Frattalone aboard the boat where the bag was initially stored in a sealed cabin.
An employee at the restaurant reportedly spotted Frattalone attempting to carry the large bag through the dining room and subsequently escorted him out per policy.
Upon realizing the bag was missing, Frattalone allegedly responded to inquiries by stating his parents were wealthy and would cover the losses.

Authorities executed a search warrant at Frattalone’s Wayzata home, recovering the bag but not the valuable Rolex. Cell phone footage allegedly puts Frattalone aboard the boat on the night of the incident.

Consequences and Official Responses

William Frattalone was arrested on August 1 and released on August 4 from Hennepin County Jail. Following the arrest, NDSU promptly dismissed him from their football team.

“William Frattalone has been dismissed from the NDSU football team for a violation of team rules,” said NDSU head coach Tim Polasek. “He was not part of the 123 players for fall camp and will not be considered to re-join the team in any fashion.”

Frattalone is scheduled to appear in court for the first time on September 11. His attorney has not yet responded to requests for comment.

For more details on this developing legal case, visit the original Fox News report.

Impact on College Sports and Public Reaction

This incident highlights growing concerns within college athletics regarding off-field behavior and accountability. The substantial financial value involved has shocked both the sports community and the public, prompting discussions on preventive measures to avoid similar occurrences.

Questions arise on how to better safeguard athletes and public spaces.
Institutions may review codes of conduct and disciplinary policies.
The case underscores the importance of personal responsibility for student-athletes.

What do you think about this incident? Have you ever visited Lake Minnetonka or Maynard’s Restaurant? Share your thoughts in the comments below!