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“Bad breath rapist” arrested after 17 years on the run

Lina PortmanMay 30, 2024

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DANVILLE — A Massachusetts man on the run since 2007 after being convicted of kidnapping and raping a woman nearly 20 years ago has been arrested near Danville, authorities said.

U.S. Marshals Service investigators found Tuen Kit Lee and arrested him Tuesday in the Diablo area, an unincorporated part of Contra Costa County, according to a statement from U.S. Marshals Senior Inspector Chris Tamayo.

Lee fled his trial in September 2007 and was convicted in absentia, authorities said. He was also known as the “bad breath rapist” because his victim recognized Lee's foul breath while working with him at a Lee family restaurant, authorities said.

The crimes occurred in 2005.

In 2023, authorities offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to his capture.

Massachusetts State Police recently discovered Lee may be in Diablo, and Danville police have been helping federal authorities follow up on leads, Tamayo said.

Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force in Northern California, US Marshal Services Massachusetts Fugitive Task Force, Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section and Quincy (Mass.) police all contributed to Lee's arrest.

“There are violent offenders who believe they can commit crimes and cannot be held accountable for their actions,” Chief Inspector Sean LoPiccolo, acting commander of the PSRFTF, said in a statement. “Tuen Lee was on the run for 16 years and law enforcement’s unwavering dedication to locating and arresting him will hopefully bring peace of mind to the victim and his family.”

Lee is being held by Danville police until he can be extradited to Massachusetts, authorities said.

Read more at East Bay Times