NAPLES, Fla. — Mayor Teresa Heitmann has been arrested for driving under the influence after allegedly driving over a mailbox. The 61-year-old Republican was pulled over on Wednesday night after a couple reported that she followed them home, parked on their lawn, and appeared to be under the influence.
The 911 caller, whose statement was reported by WBBH, said, “I think the mayor is drunk and she just, she just literally… oh, she just drove over our mailbox. She’s claiming to [be] the mayor… I don’t know who she is.” In the background of the call, Heitmann can be heard identifying herself, saying, “I am mayor Teresa Heitmann.”
Dashcam footage showed Heitmann’s interaction with police officers. When one officer referred to her as “Mayor,” Heitmann responded, “No, don’t call me mayor. I am Teresa Heitmann right now, I am not the mayor.” She reportedly claimed that the couple had cut her off in traffic and admitted to having only one glass of wine. Despite this, Heitmann failed a field sobriety test, which led to her arrest.
At the Naples Jail Center, Heitmann agreed to take a breathalyzer test, which showed results of 0.155 and 0.169—well above Florida’s legal limit of 0.08. She was released on Thursday after posting a $500 bond.
Mayor Heitmann has yet to issue a public comment on her arrest. In response to the incident, Naples City Manager Jay Boodheshwar said in a statement, “City employees were saddened to learn about the incident involving the Mayor. We know this is a difficult time for Mayor Heitmann and will give her the space she needs. The Naples community should rest assured our City team is committed and dedicated to serving our residents. I have 100% confidence that our City employees will not let this incident affect service delivery to our community.”
Heitmann was first elected as mayor in 2020 and secured re-election last March.
