“The rapist with bad breath” arrested after 16 years on the run

Tuen Kit Lee, known as “The Bad Breath Rapist,” was arrested in California, 16 years after his rape conviction in Massachusetts, police 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 Quincy home on Feb. 2, 2005, where he tied her up and raped her. The victim was able to identify Lee as her attacker because of his foul breath, hence the nickname “The Bad Breath Rapist.” Authorities secured DNA evidence, and in September 2007 a Norfolk County jury convicted Lee of rape and kidnapping.

But Lee slipped away before his sentencing, puzzling authorities over his whereabouts for nearly two decades, despite multiple media campaigns and an appearance on “America’s Most Wanted.” But investigators had a breakthrough in the case when they found a picture on social media of a man who appeared to be Lee, Massachusetts State Police said in a news release.

Marshals found an address at a multimillion-dollar home in Diablo owned by a flower shop owner. The U.S. Marshals Service’s Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force and local Massachusetts authorities confirmed Lee was at the home. Officers saw a man and woman leaving the home in a car on Monday and were stopped by Danville police, according to MSP. Lee reportedly initially gave officers a false name but eventually admitted his true identity, which was confirmed by his fingerprints.

The woman and Lee had been friends for 15 years, but she did not know who Lee was until his arrest, police said.

“There are violent criminals who believe they can commit crimes without being held accountable for their actions,” said Chief Inspector Sean LoPiccolo of the U.S. Marshals in a press release.

Authorities took Lee to the Contra Costa County Jail, where he is being held without bail pending extradition to Massachusetts.

The MSP offered a $10,000 reward last year for information leading to an arrest. Police did not disclose whether anyone would accept the reward.

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