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FRUIT HEIGHTS — Several original paintings were stolen from a Fruit Heights gallery and police are seeking information about the theft.
The burglary occurred at the Canyon Gallery sometime between the evening of Aug. 26 and early morning of Aug. 27, according to Davis County Sheriff Office's Sgt. DeeAnn Servey. The burglars broke into the gallery through the front door and stole 11 paintings, Servey said.
The damage to the business was estimated around $1,000 and the value of the paintings was estimated at $5,100. The original artwork was created by several local artists including Amy Everhart, who had four pieces stolen — more than any other artist at the gallery. Everhart has been an artist for 10 years and was shocked to hear about the theft.
"My first reaction was I just had to laugh, because it's either laugh or cry," she said. "I asked my friends, 'What am I supposed to think of this?' And they are all, 'Well, take it as a compliment because someone likes your work enough to go in and steal it.' "
Everhart said on average, it takes her about a week to complete one oil painting so the thefts left her feeling very frustrated.
"It's a lot of time and effort," she said. "Everything takes hours and hours of work when you are putting in at least 40 hours per painting."
The gallery has surveillance video, but it wasn't working correctly at the time of the burglary, Servey said. However, Davis County deputies are currently working on several leads based on evidence that was discovered.
"Usually (criminals) try to sell stolen art online," Servey said. "Luckily, these items are very unique and so that is one thing in our favor. If they turn up, they will be highly identifiable because they are not prints, they are original paintings."
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about the burglary can contact the Davis County Sheriff's Office at 801-451-4150.