Naples, Florida Mayor Teresa Heitmann was arrested for driving under the influence after allegedly driving over a mailbox and failing a field sobriety test.
According to Daily Mail Online, the incident occurred on Wednesday night when a couple reported that Heitmann had followed them home and appeared intoxicated.
Police pulled over the 61-year-old Republican mayor after a 911 caller reported that she had driven over their mailbox and claimed to be the mayor.
Bodycam footage captured the interaction between Heitmann and responding officers, revealing her initial denial of her mayoral status during the encounter.
When addressed as "Mayor" by one of the officers, Heitmann responded:
No, don't call me mayor. I am Teresa Heitmann right now, I am not the mayor.
Heitmann reportedly told officers that the couple had cut her off in traffic. She claimed to have only consumed one glass of wine but failed a field sobriety test, which led to her arrest.
The mayor agreed to take a breath test at the Naples Jail Center. Her breath test results were 0.155 and 0.169, well above Florida's legal limit of 0.08.
Heitmann was released from jail on Thursday after posting a $500 bond. As of the report, she had not commented on her arrest.
Naples City Manager Jay Boodheshwar issued a statement addressing the incident:
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.
The arrest comes as a shock to the Naples community, where Heitmann has served as mayor since her initial election in 2020. She was re-elected to the position in March of the previous year.
This incident raises questions about the impact on Naples' city leadership and the potential consequences for Mayor Heitmann's political career. As an elected official, her actions are subject to public scrutiny, and this arrest may affect public trust in her ability to lead the city.
The case also highlights the serious nature of driving under the influence and the potential dangers it poses to public safety. The alleged incident of driving over a mailbox underscores the risks associated with impaired driving.
In conclusion, Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann's arrest for DUI has sent shockwaves through the Florida city. The incident, which involved allegations of erratic driving and failed sobriety tests, has raised concerns about leadership and public safety. As the legal process continues, the impact on Heitmann's political future and the city's governance remains uncertain. The community awaits further developments and official responses to this unexpected turn of events.
