$6.98 in Change Could Net 10 Years in Jail

A Minnetonka man has been charged with felony burglary after, prosecutors say, he burglarized his neighbor’s home and stole $6.98 in change.

According to court documents, officers were called to the 16800 block of Patricia Lane on the afternoon of March 31, after a call came in reporting a burglary. When police arrived, a man gave officers a description of someone he saw leaving his garage and entering a nearby home. Inside the garage, officers found the console of man's car open and blood on the seat. 

Police knocked on the door of the home the neighbor pointed out and met William Thomas Effertz, 20, of Patricia Lane in Minnetonka. Police report that Effretz was wearing clothing fitting the description provided by the neighbor and also appeared to have a fresh cut on his hand.

Police say Effertz had 17 quarters, 20 dimes, 10 nickels and 23 pennies in his pocket. Effertz was taken into custody and is now charged with second-degree burglary. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in jail. Effertz has previous arrests for underage drinking and drug possession.