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Police Crash Party To Arrest Woman, Sons In Burglary

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By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 20, 2008

Updated: 12/20/2008 07:21 pm

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Heather MacCaron

TAMPA - Chris MacCaron headed to visit his sons in police custody today after they and his ex-wife were arrested at his office Christmas party.

The party at MacCaron's electrical business at 1539 W. Hillsborough Ave. was in full swing about 9:30 p.m. Friday when Tampa police arrived, he said.

Officers arrested MacCaron's ex-wife, Heather, and two sons, 15-year-old Michael and 14-year-old Steven, on felony burglary and grand theft charges, police said. They are accused of stealing $600 worth of lawn tools from a Seminole Heights homeowner whose security system caught the burglary on video, police said.

A News Channel 8 viewer recognized the three from footage broadcast Friday and called Crime Stoppers, which notified police.

"It was awful," Chris MacCaron said this morning, noting he was stunned by the chain of events. "They're good boys…. I'm just gonna do my best to figure out what's going on."

Heather MacCaron, 36, was held at the Orient Road Jail today on $12,500 bail. She also is charged with felony possession of cocaine, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor charges for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Tampa police Lt. Ronald McMullen said a homemade pipe used to smoke cocaine was found in her pocket, along with cocaine residue.

Her sons were held at the Juvenile Assessment Center, also charged with violations of probation, McMullen said.

According to police, the three burglarized a house in the 200 block of West Hanna Ave. about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. The homeowner, Scott Morrison, said his gas-powered hedging tool was among the items missing from an enclosed porch and patio. The patio includes an awning with the words: "If you are reading this, you are being watched."

Morrison offered his home security video to police and News Channel 8, which broadcast the footage Friday. McMullen said tips from the public helped identify Heather MacCaron and her sons.

Morrison was glad to hear of the arrest, noting he was appalled that the children were involved. McMullen called the boys' involvement "vulgar."

"How do these kids have a chance in life if that's the example their mother is giving them?" he said.

Chris MacCaron said he and his ex-wife have been divorced for two years but had joint custody. He declined to discuss whether the boys have been in trouble previously.

He said he and his ex-wife had tried to remain friendly because of the children. Heather MacCaron lists his address as her own and his workplace as her employment in jail records, but Chris MacCaron said she does not live with him or work for him.

His sons "love their mommy," he said.

He thought his ex-wife should "bear the responsibility" for the burglary, not them. "I love those boys," he said.

News Channel 8 reporter Jeff Patterson contributed to this report. Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800.

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