FBI Opened Antique Safe at San Francisco Building
Federal agents discovered only handwritten notes inside a safe found at a former office property.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Financial Crime
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FBI agents opened an antique safe concealed behind a wooden panel in a former San Francisco office building. The safe, which dates back over a century, contained nothing but scribbled Post-It notes.
Why it matters
The investigation was initiated after Kink.com, the current building owner, alerted federal authorities to the safe following inquiries from local reporters. It adds a peculiar chapter to the history of the property formerly linked to a high-profile corruption case.
A certified master safe-cracker successfully breached the safe in 15 minutes using a carbide-tipped drill and internal scoping tools. This action followed a formal report by current owners to the FBI.
The players
Walter Wong
He is a former building owner who pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges in 2020.
Kink.com
This organization is the current owner of the San Francisco office building where the safe was found.
FBI
The federal agency led the investigation and the opening of the safe at the property.
The details
The safe, manufactured by L. H. Miller's Safe & Iron Works of Baltimore, was hidden beneath a staircase at the 95,000-square-foot facility. While the property was previously owned by Walter Wong, who pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2020 involving $1.5 million siphoned from the Chinatown Hilton, agents also toured a secret floor within the structure.
Timeline
The safe was manufactured in the late 1800s or early 1900s.
Walter Wong pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2020.
FBI agents opened the safe on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
Legal Context
The search of the property follows the 2020 federal conviction of Walter Wong, which serves as the primary anchor for ongoing investigative interest in the site. This operation marks a continuation of federal efforts to recover evidence related to the building's history.
The discovery of a hidden, secret floor and safe at this facility has drawn public attention to the property's complex history. Residents in the area should remain aware of potential ongoing federal activity at the site.
The takeaway
The event serves as a reminder of the historical layers hidden within aging city office properties. Investigators continue to process evidence recovered from the site to determine if any further materials related to the previous owner exist.
Further reading
For more on local investigations, visit the Financial Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mission Local.
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