By Tuen Kit Lee, a 55-year-old fugitive from Massachusetts, infamously known as the ‘Bad Breath Rapist,’ has been apprehended after 17 years on the run. Lee was found living a life of luxury in a multi-million dollar home in Diablo, California, with a girlfriend who was completely unaware of his alleged horrific past.
Lee’s crimes date back to February 2, 2005, when he reportedly broke into a co-worker’s home and raped her at knifepoint. He was identified through DNA evidence and his distinctive bad breath, earning him the notorious moniker. In September 2007, Lee allegedly fled his trial before jurors returned a guilty verdict, and he had been evading authorities ever since.
Lee arrested after 15 years running away from the police and was found living with a girlfriend.
The breakthrough in the case came when images of Lee surfaced on social media, allowing detectives to trace him to the lavish residence in Diablo, a small town located 20 miles east of the Bay Area. On Tuesday, law enforcement officials spotted Lee leaving the home with his girlfriend, with whom he had been living for the past 15 years. According to Massachusetts State Police, “His female companion never knew who he really was.”
Despite the tireless efforts of state police and Quincy Police Department detectives, who reportedly put “hundreds of hours into attempting to locate Lee,” the case eventually went cold. However, the new information obtained from social media earlier this year “broke the case wide open,” leading to Lee’s capture.
During the surveillance operation, state police from Massachusetts and California observed Lee and his girlfriend leaving the residence and entering a vehicle. Danville Police conducted a traffic stop, and although Lee initially provided a false name, he eventually confessed his true identity under questioning, which was then confirmed through fingerprints.
Lee was transported to Danville Police Department for booking and will be held pending his extradition to Massachusetts. Chief Inspector Sean LoPiccolo, acting Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force commander, emphasized the relentless pursuit of justice, stating, “There are violent offenders out there who believe they can commit crimes and not be held accountable for their actions. 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.”
The arrest of Tuen Kit Lee brings a sense of closure to a case that has haunted Massachusetts for nearly two decades, while also shedding light on the unsuspecting life he had built in California during his time as a fugitive.
