Bodycam footage has captured the mayor of a Florida town trying to distance herself from her title — telling cops, “Don’t call me the mayor” as she struggled to keep her balance during a field sobriety test after she allegedly ran over a neighbor’s mailbox.
Teresa Heitmann, the mayor of Naples, was seen attempting to perform sobriety tests Wednesday evening after she was caught driving with a blood alcohol level over twice the legal limit, NBC2 News reported.
“I think the mayor is drunk, and she just, she just literally … oh, she just drove over our mailbox,” a man is heard telling 911 dispatchers over the phone, per NBC affiliate WBBH.
Teresa Heitmann, the mayor of Naples, Fla., was intoxicated and unable to keep her balance when she was pulled over by police after running over a neighbor’s mailbox. NBC 6 South FloridaWhen asked if the woman was indeed the mayor, the 911 caller replies, “I don’t know. She’s claiming to be the mayor. I don’t know who she is.”
After a brief pause, the neighbor asked the woman to identify herself again, to which she replied, “Mayor Teresa Heitmann.”
However, after cops arrived just after 10 p.m., Heitmann, 61, appeared to distance herself from her title.
“No, don’t call me mayor,” she is heard telling a police officer in video footage. “I am Teresa Heitmann right now. I am not the mayor.”
Heitmann was arrested after she failed a sobriety test and was unable to keep her balance. Collier County Sheriff's Office
Heitmann appeared to distance herself from her title when questioned by cops. NBC 6 South FloridaHeitmann claimed that the couple cut her off in traffic, prompting her to become frustrated.
However, cops soon became suspicious of Heitmann’s alcohol consumption, and decided to conduct a sobriety test.
In video footage shared, Heitmann was unable to keep her balance, leading cops to arrest her on the spot.
The politician has served as the mayor of Naples since 2020, and was re-elected in March. City of NaplesDespite claiming she only had one glass of wine, Heitmann’s blood alcohol level was double Florida’s legal limit of 0.08.
She was charged with driving under the influence and taken to Naples Jail Center.
Heitmann was released Thursday on $500 bond and is expected to be arraigned on Sept. 18.
The Post has reached out to Heitmann’s office for comment.
The politician has served as the mayor of Naples since 2020, and was re-elected in March.
Following her arrest, Naples City Manager Jay Boodheshwar said city employees were “saddened” to learn of the incident.
Following her arrest, Naples City Manager Jay Boodheshwar released a statement. NBC 6 South Florida“We know this is a difficult time for Mayor Heitmann and will give her the space she needs,” Boodheshwar told The Post. “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,” he added.
