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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Box Search Yields Little In Arson Case Pang Still At Large As Suspect In Fatal Warehouse Fire

Associated Press

Authorities investigating the warehouse arson that killed four firefighters found about $130 in a safe-deposit box rented by Martin Pang, according to documents released Monday.

There were no new developments in the search for Pang, 39, a fugitive sought for questioning in the Jan. 5 fire at the Mary Pang Food Products warehouse owned by his parents, police spokesman Sean O’Donnell said Monday.

The search warrant executed Thursday was prompted by Key Bank records that indicated Pang had rented a safe-deposit box at the bank’s branch in Seattle’s International District, where the warehouse was located.

According to a copy of the warrant, released Monday by the King County prosecutor’s office, police investigators had hoped its contents would provide clues to the whereabouts of Pang, last seen in California.

The warrant also said investigators hoped to turn up new materials concerning Pang’s finances, his acquaintances, and his contacts and movements in the months before the fire.

“All the described evidence is relevant on the issue of Martin Pang’s motive to hire someone to burn the Pang warehouse,” the warrant says.

But the contents of the safedeposit box did not appear enlightening. According to a police inventory, the box contained:

$100 in U.S. $2 bills.

Sixty Mexican pesos.

Eighteen silver dollars and a Susan B. Anthony dollar.

A white box containing 12 silver dollars.

A Bahamian dollar.

A $1 U.S. silver certificate.

A silver chain in a plastic bag.

Stationery with Asian lettering.

A rice-paper wallet.