A fugitive known as the “Bad Breath Rapist” was apprehended in the San Francisco Bay Area on Tuesday after 16 years of evasion, according to U.S. Marshals Service officials.
Investigators from Massachusetts traveled to California and located the convicted rapist, Tuen Kit “Dickie” Lee, near Danville, California, where they placed him under arrest.
Lee, 55, absconded in September 2007 during his trial in Massachusetts. He was convicted in absentia by a jury for the kidnapping and rape of a young woman.
In 2005, the victim was at home when Lee broke in, subdued her with zip ties to a bed, and raped her at knifepoint, as stated by Massachusetts State Police. Lee masked his face during the assault to conceal his identity.
However, the victim identified the rapist by his “foul breath” as she was employed at Lee’s family restaurant, according to state police. The media subsequently nicknamed him the “Bad Breath Rapist.”
Lee remained a fugitive for 16 years after fleeing his trial.
“Tuen Kit Lee was believed to have fled Massachusetts, but his location was unknown until investigators with the Massachusetts State Police VFAS received information that Lee might be staying in Diablo, California,” the Marshals Service noted.
With assistance from the Danville Police Department, investigators confirmed that Lee was indeed staying in Diablo, located on the eastern edge of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Lee’s capture was facilitated through the collaborative efforts of the Danville Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service PSWRFTF, USMS Massachusetts Fugitive Task Force, and the USMS Cold and Complex Case team.
“There are violent offenders who believe they can evade accountability for their actions,” said Commander Sean LoPiccolo of the U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force. “Tuen Lee was on the run for more than 16 years, and the tireless dedication of law enforcement to locate and apprehend him hopefully provides peace of mind to the victim and her family.”
Lee is now facing a life sentence in prison.
