Auto Dealer Arrested for Keeping $154K in Sales Tax Collected from Customers
April 6, 2026 • By Ryan Yousefi
[caption id="attachment_55718" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Berman Jose Sanchez Thumas {BSO}[/caption]
A Coconut Creek auto dealer was arrested after investigators say he kept more than $154,000 in sales tax collected from customers, leading to a first-degree felony charge.
According to a Coconut Creek Police Department investigation report, Berman Jose Sanchez Thumas, 31, was arrested on March 31 at his home near the 5200 block of Northwest 55th Boulevard. Investigators allege that while operating Evo Auto Sales LLC in Margate, Sanchez Thumas collected sales tax from customers between 2021 and 2024 but failed to remit the full amount to the State of Florida.
Authorities say more than $154,000 in tax revenue was withheld, resulting in a theft of state funds charge, a first-degree felony.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by the Florida Department of Revenue, the business collected approximately $246,470 in sales tax during that period but remitted only about $91,787.
Investigators say Sanchez Thumas was the managing member of the business and had direct responsibility for collecting and remitting taxes. Records show he filed sales tax returns during the period in question, indicating awareness of the obligation, but allegedly failed to pay the full amounts due.
Efforts by the Department of Revenue to obtain records and secure voluntary compliance were unsuccessful, and communication through legal representation did not resolve the outstanding balance, according to investigators.
A warrant for Sanchez Thumas’ arrest was issued on March 25, and he was taken into custody and transported to the Broward County Main Jail days later. He is currently being held without bond pending a court appearance.
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