NDSU Football Player Dismissed After Alleged Theft of $270K in Luxury Items

A North Dakota State University football player has been dismissed from the team after being accused of stealing a duffel bag containing more than $270,000 worth of luxury items over the Fourth of July weekend in Minnesota.

William Frattalone, 20, is facing a felony theft charge for property valued over $35,000, according to jail records. Authorities say the incident reflects a stunning lapse in judgment that could derail his future both on and off the field.

According to a criminal complaint, Frattalone allegedly took a designer duffel bag from a boat docked at Maynard’s Restaurant on Lake Minnetonka. The bag, worth about $2,400 itself, contained a $228,000 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Platinum watch, roughly $25,000 in limited-edition clothing, a $400 bottle of cologne, thousands of dollars in cash, and other valuables.

When the group discovered the bag was missing, another passenger contacted Frattalone, who reportedly responded that his “parents were wealthy and would write a check for whatever was inside the bag,”

A search warrant executed at Frattalone’s Wayzata home later turned up the bag in his bedroom, though the Rolex watch was never recovered. Court documents state that cell phone footage also placed him on the boat the night of the theft.

An individual identified as I.B. told police he had stored the bag in a sealed cabin before entering the restaurant. When the group returned, the bag was gone. A restaurant employee also reported escorting Frattalone out after spotting him attempting to carry a large bag through the dining room, which violated policy.

Frattalone was arrested on August 1 and released three days later from the Hennepin County Jail. Shortly after, he was dismissed from the NDSU football program, cutting short what could have been a promising athletic career.

The case stands as a sharp reminder of how one reckless decision — fueled by arrogance and lack of judgment — can carry lifelong consequences.