By SDCN Editor
Dublin, CA–A fugitive known as the “bad breath rapist” was captured by authorities Tuesday in California after 16 years on the run.
The U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force in northern California, with the assistance of the USMS Massachusetts Fugitive Task Force, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, and the Quincy, MA Police Department, arrested Tuesday a man who fled his September 2007 trial after being found guilty of kidnapping and raping a young woman in 2005.
Tuen Kit Lee was believed to have fled Massachusetts. Still, his location was unknown until investigators with the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section developed information that Lee was possibly staying in Diablo, California.
Investigative leads were sent to the U.S. Marshal Service in northern California followed up on the leads and with the help of Danville Police Department, it was determined that Lee was staying in the area.
Investigators from Massachusetts traveled to California earlier Tuesday to take Lee into custody.
“There are violent offenders out there who believe they can commit crimes and not be held accountable for their actions,” said Chief Inspector Sean LoPiccolo, acting commander. “Tuen Lee was on the run for more than 16 years and the unwavering dedication by law enforcement to locate and arrest him hopefully brings peace of mind to the victim and her family.”
“I greatly appreciate the work of the Massachusetts State Police Fugitive Unit and the men and women of the U.S. Marshals Service who made this arrest possible,” said Quincy Police Department Chief Mark Kennedy.
Lee’s arrest was a coordinated effort by the U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force, USMS Massachusetts Fugitive Task Force, the USMS Cold and Complex Case team, Massachusetts State Police, Quincy Police Department, and Danville Police Department.
