Quincy, MA Fugitive Dubbed “Bad Breath Rapist” Captured in California After 16 Years on the Run

Dublin, CA – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (PSWRFTF) in northern California, with assistance of the USMS Massachusetts Fugitive Task Force, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS), and the Quincy (Mass.) Police Department, arrested today 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, but his location was unknown until investigators with the Massachusetts State Police VFAS developed information that Lee was possibly staying in Diablo, California.

Investigative leads were sent to the PSWRFTF in northern California to follow up on the leads and with the help of Danville Police Department, it was determined that Lee was in fact staying in the area. 

Investigators from Massachusetts traveled to California and earlier today, the PSWRFTF, Danville Police Department, and Massachusetts law enforcement officers took Lee into custody. The arrest brings closure to the victim and law enforcement officers who have worked tirelessly over the 16-plus years to find Lee.

“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 PSWRFTF 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 PSWRFTF, USMS Massachusetts Fugitive Task Force, the USMS Cold and Complex Case team, Massachusetts State Police, Quincy Police Department, and Danville Police Department.

The PSWRFTF began operations in April 2002. With partnership agreements with over 53 federal, state, or local agencies, the PSWRFTF has been able to successfully apprehend over 105,900 fugitives since inception. The PSWRFTF has made an extraordinary impact on the apprehension of the region’s most dangerous and violent fugitives striving to make their communities and citizens safer.

Source: U.S. Marshals Service, usmarshals.gov