A routine Saturday outside the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables turned into a felony case shortly before 12:30 p.m., when police say a 72-year-old Miami man struck an officer twice with his car at a restricted exit.
According to Coral Gables police, officers and hotel security moved in on a limited-access exit near the hotel’s loading area after the driver allegedly ignored orders to stop. The man was taken into custody at the scene and now faces a serious charge that could land him in state prison.
What police say
In an arrest report, Coral Gables officers identified the driver as Michael McCormack and said he pulled a 2025 silver Toyota Camry into a part of the property that is not open to regular traffic. A hotel security officer told McCormack he could not enter and called police, authorities wrote.
When a Coral Gables officer arrived, he positioned himself in front of the Camry and gave loud commands to stop and back up, according to the report. Instead, investigators say, McCormack hit the gas. Citing the arrest report, WPLG Local 10 reports that the car moved forward and struck the officer with its front end, then reversed and hit him again with the rear before coming to a stop roughly 30 feet away.
Jail records list one count of aggravated battery on a law-enforcement officer causing bodily harm. McCormack was also cited for careless driving and failure to obey a lawful command and was being held without bond at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Charges and legal stakes
Florida law treats crimes against law-enforcement officers as especially serious. Under statutes summarized by the Florida Senate, aggravated battery on a law-enforcement officer can be prosecuted as a first-degree felony. A conviction carries a minimum mandatory sentence of five years in prison.
Where this fits locally
The case lands in a city that has already seen its share of high-profile vehicle incidents. In September 2025, a separate driver was accused of striking two women on a Coral Gables golf course, as previously reported by WPLG Local 10. Local investigators have been busy with crashes and hit-and-run cases in recent months, a reminder of how quickly an everyday traffic dispute can veer into criminal territory.
Coral Gables police say the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the department through the public information page on the City of Coral Gables website. This story will be updated as additional details and official records are released.
