An Oak Bay art dealer is facing a fraud charge two years after Saanich police seized around 1,100 pieces of art worth tens of millions of dollars.
Police alleged at the time the dealer was taking art from people to consign or appraise, then cutting contact and selling the pieces without reimbursing owners or artists.
Police began investigating in April 2022 after Winchester Galleries closed and the art dealer ceased communication with owners of artwork in the gallery. An art owner contacted police that month to report the situation, saying they had entrusted the dealer with four pieces of art for consignment.
The art owner, whose four pieces included works by Canadian artists Emily Carr and David Blackwood, became suspicious when the gallery closed and attempts to contact the dealer were unsuccessful, police said at the time.
Police found several other victims who had consigned art to the dealer and been unable to contact the dealer.
Searches of storage sites in Saanich, Oak Bay and Langford turned up approximately 1,100 artworks, police said.
It was the highest value of seized property by the department in 30 years, Saanich police said at the time.
The dealer had acquired Winchester Galleries — considered a prestigious gallery highlighting Canadian artists — in 2019 from long-time owners Gunter Heinrich and Anthony Sam.
Approximately 1,050 pieces have been returned to their owners, police said Monday, but many remain unclaimed.
Anyone who consigned art through Winchester Galleries and believes Saanich police are in possession of it can contact police at [email protected].
Calvin Lucyshyn, who operated Winchester Galleries, has been charged with one count of fraud over $5,000. He is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 10.