Saanich Police say officers have seized art estimated to worth tens of millions of dollars from an Oak Bay art dealer.
An art owner contacted Saanich Police saying they had entrusted the art dealer with four pieces of art for consignment and potential sale at an art gallery.
The pieces were three original Emily Carr paintings and one David Blackwood watercolour.
The art gallery closed, and the art owner was unsuccessful in contacting the dealer so they became suspicious.
When police investigated, officers discovered there were several other victims who had given pieces of art for consignment and then stopped responding to communications.
Officers conducted search warrants at storage sites in Saanich, Oak Bay, and Langford and initially discovered 600 pieces of art in the first search, over 100 in the second, then the final found over 300 pieces.
Saanich Police says the total number of pieces of art is over 1,000, with an estimated value to be in the tens of millions.
The art is now being held in a secure location by police.
Police are not revealing the name of the art dealer until charges are sworn in court, but they arrested the dealer on April 21 and released them on several conditions with a future court date.
Charges of fraud and false pretense are being recommended.
“The dealer was taking art from people with the intention of consigning or appraising the art, later ceasing all contact, all the while selling the art without reimbursing the owners or artists,” said Const. Markus Anastasiades of Saanich Police in a news release.
“We believe there are individuals who have attempted to reclaim their artwork, associated to the Oak Bay gallery but have not been successful in doing so. We are asking for these people to reach the Saanich Police by email at [email protected].”
Detectives are in touch with the artists, families, or owners of the art in an effort to return the artwork to the rightful owners.
This is a developing story. More will be added as details become available.
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