Teun Kit Lee, the ‘bad breath rapist’, arrested in California after nearly a decade

Updated on May 30, 2024, 05:13 IST

Teun Kit Lee, 55, who fled during his 2007 rape trial and was subsequently convicted in absentia, was arrested after living in California under a false identity for more than a decade. Teun Kit Lee, dubbed the “bad breath rapist” by Massachusetts State Police, was taken into custody in Danville.

Teun Kit Lee, also known as “The Bad Breath Rapist,” was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Danville, California.

Refugee from Massachusetts Teun Kit Lee55, who fled during his 2007 rape trial and was subsequently convicted in absentia, was arrested after living in California under a false identity for more than a decade.

Teun Kit Lee, dubbed the “bad breath rapist” by Massachusetts State Police, was arrested in Danville, California, about 30 miles east of San Francisco. Authorities found that Lee had been living in her multimillion-dollar home in Diablo, a neighboring village of about 1,200 people, with a woman who knew nothing of his history, the NY Times reported.

Lee has been evading capture since leaving Quincy, Massachusetts, shortly before the final arguments of his trial. After his first escape to New York, he moved to San Francisco. There he met the woman who would spend the next 10 years by his side. Chief Inspector Chris Tamayo of the U.S. Marshals Service in Northern California said Lee avoided detection by having her name appear on all of his property and identification documents, according to the publication.

When Lee and the woman were stopped by police on Tuesday, he gave a false identity. But when questioned, he revealed his true identity, the LA Times wrote. Massachusetts State Police said the man’s fingerprints proved he was Teun Kit Lee. The woman, a flower shop owner, was reportedly shocked to learn Lee’s true identity. “It can’t be him. He’s a good man,” she insisted, only breaking down in tears when she was shown a wanted poster with his photos.

According to information provided to ABC by Captain Daniel Guarente of the Quincy Police Department, investigators had reason to believe Lee was in California and may have been in contact with relatives. This tip sparked a targeted search in Diablo, and Lee was arrested after surveillance of his residence and car. Lee had no identification on him when he was arrested and gave the name Randy Lee.

Lee began his illegal activities on February 2, 2005, after he was recognized as the masked burglar who broke into a waitress’s home in Quincy, Massachusetts, according to the NYT. He raped her, tied her to a bed with zip ties, and threatened her with a knife. The victim identified Lee as the attacker based on his distinctive foul breath, and his identification was later confirmed by DNA evidence. After being taken into custody and released on $100,000 bail, Lee disappeared before the trial was over.

A jury found Lee guilty in absentia of several crimes, including four counts of aggravated rape, kidnapping, sexual assault and battery. Because Lee had escaped punishment, those charges, which could carry a life sentence, went unpunished, the LA Times wrote. According to Philip A. Tracy Jr., Lee’s former attorney, Lee was afraid of returning to the prison where he was beaten. Tracy said, “He was worried, scared,” and expressed shock at Lee’s return.

The hunt for Lee required extensive law enforcement efforts, including hundreds of hours of investigation and a feature on “America’s Most Wanted.” Last year, a $10,000 reward was offered for information leading to his capture. U.S. Marshals Service Acting Chief of Operations Sean LoPiccolo expressed optimism that Lee’s arrest will provide comfort to the victim and her loved ones. “There are violent offenders who believe they can commit crimes without being held accountable for their actions,” LoPiccolo said.

After more than ten years on the run, Teun Kit Lee is finally set to be extradited to Massachusetts to face trial for his crimes.

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