A Florida mayor has been arrested for DUI after reportedly following a couple home, hitting their mailbox, and parking her vehicle on their lawn, Sydtomarket.net has learned.
On August 28, 61-year-old Teresa Heitmann, the mayor of Naples, was taken into custody after undergoing field sobriety tests and breathalyzer tests at the Naples Jail Center. The results showed her blood alcohol content at 0.155 and 0.169, well above Florida’s legal limit of 0.08.
According to the Naples Daily News, police received a 911 call around 10 p.m. from a man who said a woman in a silver car followed him and his wife home. The caller reported, “I think the mayor is drunk. She just drove over our mailbox.”
When asked by the dispatcher if the mayor was involved, the caller confirmed, “I don’t know, she’s claiming to be the mayor. I don’t know who she is.” The caller then identified the woman as “Mayor Teresa Heitmann.”
Dashcam footage from the incident shows Heitmann during the field sobriety tests. Officers who arrived at the scene noted that Heitmann, although initially denying it, eventually admitted her identity.
The couple reported that Heitmann’s Porsche nearly ran a stop sign, causing them to slam on their brakes. When they called the police, Heitmann allegedly told them, “Call the police… she is the mayor, and nothing will happen,” though she later denied making such statements.
Heitmann claimed that the couple nearly hit her in a roundabout and denied following them. However, officers observed her with “glassy, watery eyes” and “slurred speech,” consistent with intoxication.
After failing the field sobriety tests, Heitmann was arrested and charged with driving under the influence. She was released on bail on August 29 and waived her arraignment, which constitutes a not guilty plea under state law. Her next court appearance is scheduled for September 18.
City Manager Jay Boodheshwar commented on the situation, expressing that “city employees were saddened to learn about the incident involving the Mayor” and affirming that they “understand this is a difficult time for Mayor Heitmann and will give her the space she needs.”
Heitmann is currently serving her second term as the mayor of Naples.
