A Florida woman who just so happens to be the mayor of Naples was arrested last week for allegedly driving under the influence after following a couple home in her car while intoxicated, crashing into their mailbox, and parking on their lawn.
Teresa Heitmann, 61, is accused of one count of driving under the influence (DUI) with an unlawful blood alcohol level (BAC) of 0.15 or higher, according to Collier County Sheriff's Office records.
Officers initially responded to a man's 911 call on August 28 claiming he and his wife were being followed home by a woman in a silver vehicle.
The couple said the woman was completely unknown to them; however, when identifying herself, the caller told dispatch:
"Yeah, umm, I think the mayor is drunk, and she just, she just literally-oh, she just drove over our mailbox."
Seemingly in disbelief, the 911 operator asks the man, "The mayor did?"
He tells the dispatcher he doesn't know who she is, but she's claiming to be the mayor.
In 911 audio obtained by WTVJ, a woman's voice can then be heard saying, "Mayor Teresa Heitmann."
When police arrived at the scene, they addressed the woman by Mrs. Mayor, but in response, Heitmann said, "No, don't call me mayor."
"I am Teresa Heitmann right now," Heitmann continues. "I am not the mayor."
The confrontation only seems to escalate according to bodycam footage worn by one of the officers.
"You are slurring your words a little bit here," said police.
She adamantly denies the accusation:
"No, sir. I am not slurring my words. I have sat here calm. Calmly."
"Calmly is a loose term. I think I've heard you yelling at my officers about twice now."
Heitmann allegedly went on to tell police she only had one glass of wine before driving.
One test allegedly showed the mayor had a BAC of 0.155 and another with a BAC of 0.169.
The legal limit in Florida is 0.08.
"City employees were saddened to learn about the incident involving the mayor," Naples City Manager Jay Boodheshwar told WTVJ.
"We know this is a difficult time for Mayor Heitmann and will give her the space she needs."
Heitmann was released on August 29 after posting a $500 bond.
