Fugitive dubbed ‘rapist with bad breath’ caught in Danville after 16 years on the run

Quincy, MA fugitive dubbed ‘rapist with bad breath’ caught in California after 16 years on the run

Dublin, California – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (PSWRFTF) in Northern California, with assistance from the USMS Massachusetts Fugitive Task Force, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS), and the Quincy, Massachusetts Police Department, today arrested a man who fled from trial in September 2007 after being found guilty of kidnapping and raping a young woman in 2005.

Tuen Kit Lee is believed to have fled Massachusetts, but his whereabouts were unknown until Massachusetts State Police (VFAS) investigators received information that Lee may have been in Diablo, California.

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

Investigators from Massachusetts traveled to California and early this morning, the PSWRFTF, Danville Police Departmentand Massachusetts police officers took Lee into custody. The arrest brings closure to the victim and the police officers who worked tirelessly for over 16 years to find Lee.

“There are violent offenders who believe they can commit crimes without being held accountable for their actions,” said Chief Inspector Sean LoPiccolo, PSWRFTF Deputy Commander. “Tuen Lee was on the run for more than 16 years and the tireless efforts of law enforcement to find and capture him will hopefully bring peace of mind to the victim and her family.”

“I am very grateful to 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 Chief Mark Kennedy.

The arrest of Lee was a coordinated effort by the U.S. Marshals Service PSWRFTF, USMS Massachusetts Fugitive Task Force, USMS Cold and Complex Case Team, Massachusetts State Police, Quincy Police Department, and Danville Police Department.

The PSWRFTF began operations in April 2002. Through partnership agreements with over 53 federal, state and local agencies, the PSWRFTF has successfully apprehended over 105,900 fugitives since its inception. The PSWRFTF has made an outstanding contribution to apprehending the region’s most dangerous and violent fugitives and is committed to making its communities and citizens safer.