Massachusetts fugitive dubbed ‘Bad Breath Rapist’ captured in California after 16 years on the run

SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — Police successful nan San Francisco Bay Area connected Tuesday helped U.S. Marshals apprehension a fugitive wanted successful a Massachusetts rape lawsuit astir 2 decades aft he fled that authorities during his trial, authorities said.

According to a property merchandise issued by nan U.S. Marshals Service, nan man taken into custody was identified arsenic Tuen Kit Lee, who faced proceedings successful nan 2005 kidnapping and raping of a young female astatine knifepoint successful Quincy, Mass. The merchandise said Lee was recovered blameworthy successful a September 2007 trial, but fled earlier he was sentenced.

Massachusetts State Police person offered a reward of up to $10,000 for accusation starring to Lee’s apprehension and appeared aggregate times connected nan tv show “America’s Most Wanted” to talk nan case.

Lee was dubbed nan “Bad Breath Rapist” aft nan media learned 1 of nan pieces of grounds that established Lee arsenic nan assailant was his foul breath.

According to nan U.S. Marshals Service, Lee was believed to person fled Massachusetts. His whereabouts were chartless until Massachusetts State Police investigators developed accusation connected nan fugitive earlier this twelvemonth that indicated he was perchance staying successful Diablo, a census-designated spot successful Contra Costa County a mates miles distant from nan East Bay suburb of Danville.

Investigative leads were sent to nan U.S. Marshals Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (PSWRFTF) successful bluish California, who worked pinch nan Danville Police Department to find it was Lee who was surviving successful nan area. On Tuesday, officers pinch nan Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS) and nan Quincy Police Department arrested Lee pinch assistance from nan USMS Massachusetts Fugitive Task Force and Danville police.

“Someone who has been connected nan tally for 17 years has astir apt gotten beautiful comfortable,” said Chris Tamayo, elder inspector for U.S. Marshals Service. “It’s unsocial that location hasn’t been further crimes that possibly we haven’t seen, particularly pinch thing arsenic convulsive arsenic it was.”

Authorities confirmed that Lee was taken into custody adjacent nan intersection of Hill Road and Diablo Road, which is adjacent to Green Valley Elementary School.

Massachusetts State Police later confirmed that Lee was taken into custody aft a centrifugal conveyance extremity conducted by Danville officers. Lee initially provided a clone sanction but yet confessed erstwhile authorities pressed him astir his existent identity. Police were capable to corroborate his personality pinch fingerprints.

“We were perpetually told it’s a very tight, close-knit neighborhood. And if location was immoderate benignant of constabulary beingness that each neighbour would perceive astir it, and we didn’t want to springiness up nan thoughts it was there,” Tamayo said. “This is going to astir apt beryllium a large shock. Hopefully, it doesn’t origin them immoderate concerns that nan truth that personification was hiding here.”

State constabulary noted that nan female companion was pinch astatine nan clip of his apprehension ne'er knew who he really was contempt being together successful California for 15 years.

The merchandise noted that nan apprehension brings closure to nan unfortunate and rule enforcement officers who person worked to find Lee for complete 16 years.

“There are convulsive offenders retired location who judge they tin perpetrate crimes and not beryllium held accountable for their actions,” said acting PSWRFTF commandant Chief Inspector Sean LoPiccolo. “Tuen Lee was connected nan tally for much than 16 years and nan unwavering dedication by rule enforcement to find and apprehension him hopefully brings bid of mind to nan unfortunate and her family.”

“I greatly admit nan activity of nan Massachusetts State Police Fugitive Unit and nan men and women of nan U.S. Marshals Service who made this apprehension possible,” said Quincy Police Department Chief Mark Kennedy said successful nan release.

Authorities said Lee was booked by Danville constabulary and will beryllium held by that section pending his extradition to Massachusetts.

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