'It's shocking': Police seize millions in paintings from art dealer in Oak Bay, B.C.

Saanich police say thousands of pieces artwork worth tens of millions of dollars have been seized after officers began investigating an art dealer in Oak Bay, B.C., this month.

The investigation began on April 11, after police received a report that someone gave four paintings to a man for consignment sale at an art gallery in Oak Bay, but never heard back from him.

The art included three paintings by Emily Carr, and one waterclour painting by David Blackwood.

Police say the owner grew suspicious when the gallery closed and the art dealer stopped all contact with them.

Investigators later learned that other victims had similar stories.

"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.

Detectives later executed search warrants at three storage sites in Saanich, Oak Bay and Langford, where more than 1,000 pieces of art were located and seized.

Police say 600 pieces were found in Saanich, more than 100 were recovered in Oak Bay, and more than 300 were seized in Langford.

Some of the higher-valued pieces included four works that are valued at $85,000 each, according to police.