Sheriff's investigators said they've uncovered a large, organized theft ring. The business at the center of it is owned by a Brevard County commission candidate.
"The target of the search warrant, and the investigation, are the owners of the Ice Cream Depot, Lisa McDermott and her husband James," said Major Tod Goodyear with Brevard County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators said the couple is under investigation for money laundering and for a theft ring being run out of their establishment. Investigators said the business was being used as a front.
They said hundreds of thousands of dollars of stolen merchandise has come through the store. Investigators won't go into specifics, but think it's been happening for more than a year.
Lisa McDermott is also running her campaign for District 4 commissioner out of this business. McDermott's large campaign signs stood side by side with a sheriff's office crime scene van Thursday.
She was seen talking to investigators in the parking lot. Her husband spent a lot of time sitting on the front porch of the business.
"In this one we are dealing with a public figure, someone that is running for office. We want to make sure we have all our information right," saidr Goodyear.
On a typical day the Ice Cream Depot serves up cool treats and banana splits. This day there's no ice cream being sold.
Fellow business owners were concerned over the law enforcement presence.
"They've always been good business partners of ours, and we wish them the best. And it's innocent until proven guilty," said Anthony Cuttaia, who runs a car wash across the street.
No arrests were made Thursday -- but investigators said they expect them to come soon as they work with the State Attorney's Office on the case.
We called Lisa McDermott for comment, and she has not returned our requests for an interview.