Editor’s note: A previous version of this story misstated details about the arrest based on the charges filed. The headlines have also been corrected.
Months after she won her second term, Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann faces criminal charges after authorities say she was driving under the influence.
According to Collier County Jail records, Heitmann, 61, was arrested about 10:45 p.m. Wednesday. She faces one count of DUI with a blood alcohol of 0.15 or higher. In Florida, the legal limit is 0.08.
The charges listed on jail records indicated she was driving with a minor in the car, but Naples police refuted that saying the full charge incudes “OR with a minor in the vehicle.”
“It was erroneously reported by the media that there was a minor in the vehicle with Mrs. Heitmann, which is untrue,” Lt. Bryan McGinn, spokesperson for Naples police, said in a news release. “Mrs. Heitmann was the sole occupant of the vehicle.”
Animal cruelty arrest: Golden Gate Estates couple arrested after severely emaciated horse found roving streets
According to Naples police, shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday, Naples police officers responded to a residence in the 500 block of 16th Avenue South after they received a call for service from the resident.
Police said the reporter advised officers that he and his wife were followed from the intersection of 12th Avenue South and 3rd Street South to their residence by a female, unknown to them, driving a silver vehicle.
When they arrived at their residence, the unknown female, later identified as Heitmann, stopped her vehicle on the grass in front of their home.
After a brief verbal exchange with Heitmann parked in their front yard, police said, the reporter contacted Naples police and reported Heitmann’s actions to dispatchers, saying that Heitmann was claiming to be the mayorand appeared intoxicated.
Officers arrived on scene and observed Heitmann leaning on her vehicle and promptly identified her as the Naples mayor.
During the call for service, police said, officers believed Heitmann may have been intoxicated and observed her in physical control of her vehicle.
At the request of investigating officers, police said, Heitmann agreed to complete field sobriety exercises.
Following the completion of the investigation, police said, officers found probable cause to arrest Heitmann for driving under the influence of an intoxicating substance.
Heitmann was taken to the Naples Jail Center, where she agreed to participate in a breath test to determine her blood alcohol content, police said. Heitmann completed two breath samples, which resulted in a blood alcohol content of 0.155 and 0.169.
Monique Barnhart-Tiberio, spokesperson for the city, said Naples police were working on a joint statement with the city Thursday morning. She declined further comment.
A phone call to a number registered to Heitmann indicated the mailbox was full and could not accept further messages. The Daily News left a voicemail at a second number associated with her.
Her arraignment is set for Sept. 18. She is the second Collier County elected official arrested on drunken driving charges this year.
In March, a machine recount confirmed incumbent Heitmann’s election victory over challenger Gary Price. Heitmann eked out a victory over Price, a former city council member, by just 22 of the more than 8,500 votes cast in the mayoral race. She won 38.17% of the vote in total, a 0.26% margin over Price.
Heitmann, a former account executive for cosmetics firms Revlon Co. and then Lancôme, in Jacksonville, entered politics in 2008.
Collier County Commissioner Rick LoCastro arrest
Rick LoCastro, 56, faces one count of battery after Naples police arrested him on probable cause.
A separate case stemming out of Marco Island was “exceptionally cleared” after Monroe County prosecutors denied a Marco Island police detective’s request for one count of battery domestic violence.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at [email protected] or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann arrested for DUI, BAC of .15
Source Agencies
