Massachusetts Fugitive Known as 'Bad Breath Rapist' Arrested in California After 16 Years on the Run

"The unwavering dedication by law enforcement to locate and arrest [Tuen Lee] hopefully brings peace of mind to the victim and her family," said inspector Sean LoPiccolo

A convicted rapist who was on the run for more than 16 years has been taken into police custody.

Tuen Kit Lee, wanted in Massachusetts, was found and arrested in the San Francisco Bay Area on Tuesday, May 28, per a press release issued by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).

The USMS Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (PSWRFTF) in northern California assisted the USMS Massachusetts Fugitive Task Force, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS), and the Quincy (Mass.) Police Department to arrest Lee, 55.

He was taken into custody after he was identified as the man who was convicted in the 2005 kidnapping and raping of a young woman at knifepoint in Quincy, Mass. Lee was found guilty in a September 2007 trial but fled before he was sentenced. Additionally, the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) previously offered a reward of up to $10,000, and he was featured multiple times on America's Most Wanted.

After he fled, he was dubbed the "Bad Breath Rapist" once it was revealed that a piece of evidence noted Lee was identified as the assailant because of his foul breath and DNA, per an MSP press release.

Related: FBI Arrests Fugitive Wanted for Attempted Murder After 32 Years on the Run

After MSP investigators learned that a fugitive was staying in Diablo, Calif., a couple of miles away from the East Bay suburb of Danville, Calif., they went to California to work with the Danville Police Department and the PSWRFTF to determine that Lee was the fugitive.

On Tuesday, Lee was taken into custody after Danville officers conducted a motor vehicle stop. He first provided a fake name, but authorities pressed him, and shortly after, he confessed his true identity, which was confirmed with fingerprints.

Lee was transported to Danville PD for booking and will be held until he is transported back to Massachusetts.

Lee's female companion of nearly 15 years did not know his true identity, police said.

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"There are violent offenders out there who believe they can commit crimes and not be held accountable for their actions," said acting PSWRFTF commander Chief Inspector Sean LoPiccolo, per the USMS press release. "Tuen Lee was on the run for more than 16 years and the unwavering dedication by law enforcement to locate and arrest him hopefully brings peace of mind to the victim and her family."

"I greatly appreciate the work of the Massachusetts State Police Fugitive Unit and the men and women of the U.S. Marshals Service who made this arrest possible," Quincy Police Department Chief Mark Kennedy said in the release.

"Someone who has been on the run for 17 years has probably gotten pretty comfortable," said Chris Tamayo, senior inspector for U.S. Marshals Service, reports CBS News Bay Area. "It's unique that there hasn't been additional crimes that maybe we haven't seen, especially with something as violent as it was."

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

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