Edgartown Dairy Queen bandit confesses to crime

By Nelson Sigelman
Published: May 29, 2009

The Edgartown Dairy Queen break-in is solved. Zachary L. Gould, 25, a seasonal Oak Bluffs resident, went to the Edgartown Police station Thursday morning, accompanied by his father and attorney Charles Morano. He admitted that he is the man a surveillance camera captured breaking into the popular ice cream shop early Saturday morning, officer Chris Dolby told The Times late Thursday afternoon.

The video was posted on The Times website, and photos were published in the print edition. Mr. Gould went to the Oak Bluffs Library Thursday morning and read the newspaper online.

“He called this morning after seeing your website,” said officer Dolby. “He said he was so intoxicated at the time that he didn’t recall really even doing it, but once he saw the website this morning, he had fast recollection. He called an attorney, and turned himself in today at the station.”

Police plan to seek complaints of breaking and entering and malicious destruction of property. A court date is yet to be determined. Mr. Gould will be arraigned next week, police said.
Mr. Gould received his undergraduate degree in public policy and law from Trinity College. He is currently enrolled in law school. He is a former intern to Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut.
Police thanked The Times for publishing the photos and video.

“It’s good when it works out like this,” Officer Dolby said. “There’s no mystery, and it’s all wrapped up. More people need to put video surveillance in their stores, as far as I’m concerned.”

Officer Dolby said the police had received many telephone calls from people who thought they recognized the man in the video. “We thank you for your help,” said Mr. Dolby, and he added. “If you, The Times, would put a little brief up, it will eliminate the calls that are coming in from tipsters.”