Massachusetts refugee known as ‘rapist with bad breath’ found after 16 years

Editor’s Note: This story contains a description of rape.

A Massachusetts man known as the “Bad Breath Rapist” has been found in California after more than 16 years on the run, according to the U.S. Marshall Office.

On February 2, 2005, a man named Tuen Kit Lee broke into the home of a waitress at Kagawa, his family’s restaurant in Quincy, and threatened her with a knife. He was wearing a mask, police said.

The suspect tied the woman face down to a bed with zip ties and then raped her, police said. He left her tied to the bed with zip ties and she was not found until several hours later by her boyfriend, who went to her house because he could not reach her by phone, police said.

The woman had told police that the man who raped her suffered from bad breath, police said. This was among the evidence officers used to prove that Lee was the rapist. He later became known as the “bad breath rapist.”

Lee testified in Norfolk court in 2007, police said, but did not appear in court for closing arguments and would have faced a life sentence if convicted. In his absence, police said the man was convicted of the rape.

He was on the run for more than 16 years.

In 2023, the Massachusetts State Police announced that they were offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to Lee’s arrest.

The U.S. Marshall’s Office said the Massachusetts State Police’s Violent Fugitive Apprehension Division recently received information that Lee may have been in Diablo, California. Investigators traveled to Northern California to work with Danville police. Together, officers were able to confirm that Lee was in the area.

He was arrested on Tuesday.

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

If you are a victim of sexual assault, you are not alone.

Rape Crisis Centers in Massachusetts provide free, confidential services for youth and adult survivors and their families.

Crisis centers operate a toll-free hotline that provides 24/7 telephone advice, questions, and referrals. A complete list of regional crisis centers can be found here: Here.

SafeLink offers a toll-free hotline 24 hours a day:

• (877) 785-2020
• (877) 521-2601 (TTY)