Crime & Safety
Man Threatened to Burn Down House, Shoot Wife, Police Say
William David Matara, 53, was charged with one felony count of terroristic threats after an incident on Nov. 26.

An Inver Grove Heights man faces a single felony charge after police say he threatened to burn down his own home while his wife and children were in it.
William David Matara, 53, was charged with felony terroristic threats on Nov. 26. If convicted, Matara could face a maximum of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
According to a criminal complaint issued by the Dakota County Attorney's office, police responded to Matara's home on Nov. 26 on reports of a domestic disturbance and spoke with Matara's wife. She told officers he became furious and said he was "sick of everyone in the house" and planned to "burn everybody down," the complaint said. Matara also allegedly told his wife that if she ever left him he would shoot her.
Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Matara's wife told officers she feared for her safety and the safety of the children in the house because he kept gasoline in the garage and had a safe with several guns in it.
Matara posted bond on a $30,000 bail and was released from the Dakota County Jail on Nov. 29. The conditions of his bail include no contact with the victims, no use or possession of firearms or dangerous weapons and no possession of alcohol or drugs. Matara's next court date is scheduled for Jan. 9.
Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.