CORAL GABLES, Fla. — A 72-year-old man is facing a felony charge after police say he struck an officer twice with his car outside a hotel in Coral Gables this past weekend.
Authorities said Michael McCormack, of Miami, was arrested following the incident, which occurred just before 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Biltmore Hotel, located at 1200 Anastasia Ave.
According to an arrest report from the Coral Gables Police Department, McCormack was driving a 2025 silver Toyota Camry when he approached a restricted exit at the hotel and entered an area not open to traffic.
A security officer told McCormack that he could not enter the restricted area and contacted a nearby Coral Gables police officer for assistance, the report stated.
Authorities said the officer stood in front of McCormack’s car and “issued loud verbal commands for the defendant to stop and back up multiple times.”
They said McCormack then made eye contact with the officer but refused to comply and instead accelerated forward, striking the officer with the front of the car.
The officer again ordered McCormack to stop and back up while moving out of the vehicle’s path, according to the report.
Investigators said McCormack then reversed and struck the officer a second time with the rear of the car before continuing to drive out of the restricted area.
Police said McCormack stopped the vehicle about 30 feet away, exited, and then approached the officer. By that time, the officer had positioned his marked patrol vehicle behind McCormack’s car with emergency lights and sirens activated.
A hotel employee also witnessed the incident and told investigators that he saw McCormack strike the officer as he accelerated forward, the report stated.
Jail records show he is facing one count of aggravated battery on a police officer causing bodily harm.
Police said McCormack was also issued citations for careless driving and failure to obey a lawful command.
As of Monday morning, McCormack was being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
