Vancouver Island art dealer arrested, tens of millions in pieces seized
Posted April 29, 2022 9:09 am.
Last Updated April 29, 2022 9:10 am.
An art dealer in Oak Bay has been arrested and over a thousand pieces of fine art have been seized.
Saanich police say they were contacted by a local art owner who said they had “entrusted” an art dealer in the area with four pieces for consignment and potential sale in March.
The pieces included three original Emily Carr paintings, as well as a David Blackwood watercolour.
However, police say the owner reported the gallery then abruptly closed and the art dealer stopped answering communications.
This apparently happened to others who also consigned art to the same dealer.
Investigators eventually searched three storage sites in Saanich, Oak Bay, and Langford, finding hundreds of art pieces in each. The total value of the art seized is estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars.
The art dealer was arrested on April 21 and released on several conditions. Police are recommending several charges related to fraud.
Saanich police believe there are still some people who have yet to reclaim their pieces. They are asked to contact investigators by email at art@saanichpolice.ca.
