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Arrests Disrupt Holiday

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By VALERIE KALFRIN

vkalfrin@tampatrib.com

Published: December 21, 2008

TAMPA - Chris MacCaron went to visit his sons in police custody Saturday 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 the pair's 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.

Police said a News Channel 8 viewer recognized the three from footage of the video broadcast Friday and called Crime Stoppers, which notified police.

"It was awful," Chris MacCaron said Saturday morning. "They're good boys. ... I'm just gonna do my best to figure out what's going on."

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

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

Her sons were being 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 Avenue 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 has an awning with the words: "If you are reading this, you are being watched."

Chris MacCaron said he and his ex-wife have been divorced for two years but have joint custody of the boys. He said he and his ex-wife have 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.

He said he thought his ex-wife should "bear the responsibility" for the burglary, not the teens.

"I love those boys," he said.

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

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