Tuen Kit Lee, known as “The Bad Breath Rapist,” was arrested in California, 16 years after his rape conviction in Massachusetts, cops said. (WCVB/YouTube)
More than 16 years after a man disappeared following his sexual assault conviction in Massachusetts, the man known as “The Bad Breath Rapist” is back behind bars.
The U.S. Marshals Service arrested 55-year-old Tuen “Dickie” Kit Lee on Tuesday more than 3,000 miles away in Diablo, California. Lee broke into a co-worker’s home on Feb. 2, 2005, in Quincy where he tied her up and raped her. The victim was able to identify Lee as her attacker because of his awful breath, thus the nickname “The Bad Breath Rapist.” Authorities obtained DNA evidence and in September 2007 a Norfolk County jury convicted Lee of rape and kidnapping.
But Lee took off before being sentenced, stumping authorities about his whereabouts for nearly two decades despite multiple media campaigns and an appearance on “America’s Most Wanted.” But investigators got a break in the case when they found a picture of a man who appeared to be Lee on social media, the Massachusetts State Police said in a press release.
Marshals found an address at a multimillion dollar home in Diablo owned by a flower shop owner. The U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force and local Massachusetts authorities confirmed Lee was staying at the home. Cops saw a man and woman leave the home Monday in a car and Danville Police pulled them over, according to MSP. Lee allegedly gave officers a fake name at first but eventually admitted to his true identity, which was confirmed by his fingerprints.
The woman and Lee had been companions for 15 years but she never knew who Lee was until his arrest, troopers said.
“There are violent offenders out there who believe they can commit crimes and not be held accountable for their actions,” Chief Inspector Sean LoPiccolo of the U.S. Marshals said in a press release.
Authorities took Lee to the Contra Costa County Jail where he is being held without bond. He is awaiting extradition back to Massachusetts.
The MSP offered a $10,000 reward last year for information leading to an arrest. Cops didn’t say whether anyone would collect the award.
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