Fugitive generally known as “unhealthy breath rapist” arrested after fleeing Massachusetts in 2007
Police in Northern California on Tuesday helped U.S. Marshals arrest a fugitive wished in a Massachusetts rape case almost twenty years after he fled that state throughout his trial, authorities stated.
Background
In line with a press launch issued by the U.S. Marshals Service, the person taken into custody was recognized as Tuen Equipment Lee, who confronted trial within the 2005 kidnapping and raping of a younger girl at knifepoint in Quincy, Mass. The discharge stated Lee was discovered responsible in a September 2007 trial, however fled earlier than he was sentenced.
Massachusetts State Police have provided a reward of as much as $10,000 for info resulting in Lee’s arrest and appeared a number of occasions on the tv present “America’s Most Wished” to debate the case. Lee was dubbed the “Unhealthy Breath Rapist” after the media realized one of many items of proof that established Lee because the assailant was his foul breath.
Arrest and Seize
Lee was believed to have fled Massachusetts, and his whereabouts have been unknown till Massachusetts State Police investigators developed info on the fugitive earlier this 12 months that indicated he was probably staying in Diablo, a census-designated place in Contra Costa County a pair miles away from the East Bay suburb of Danville. Investigative leads have been despatched to the U.S. Marshals Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Job Drive (PSWRFTF) in northern California, who labored with the Danville Police Division to find out it was Lee who was residing within the space. On Tuesday, officers with the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Part (VFAS) and the Quincy Police Division arrested Lee with help from the USMS Massachusetts Fugitive Job Drive and Danville police.
Impression and Closure
Authorities confirmed that Lee was taken into custody close to the intersection of Hill Rd. and Diablo Rd., which is near Inexperienced Valley Elementary College. Massachusetts State Police later confirmed that Lee was taken into custody after a motorcar cease performed by Danville officers. Lee initially offered a pretend identify however finally confessed when authorities pressed him about his true identification. State police famous that the feminine companion he was with on the time of his arrest by no means knew who he actually was regardless of being collectively in California for 15 years. The arrest brings closure to the sufferer and regulation enforcement officers who’ve labored to find Lee for over 16 years.
Quotes
“Any chilly case may be very distinctive. Somebody who has been on the run for 17 years has in all probability gotten fairly snug. It is distinctive that there hasn’t been further crimes that perhaps we’ve not seen, particularly for one thing as violent because it was,” stated Chris Tamayo, senior inspector for U.S. Marshals Service.
“We have been consistently informed it is a very tight, close-knit neighborhood. And if there was any type of police presence that each neighbor would hear about it, and we did not wish to surrender the ideas it was there,” stated a police official.
“There are violent offenders on the market who imagine they will commit crimes and never be held accountable for his or her actions. Tuen Lee was on the run for greater than 16 years, and the unwavering dedication by regulation enforcement to find and arrest him hopefully brings peace of thoughts to the sufferer and her household,” stated performing PSWRFTF commander Chief Inspector Sean LoPiccolo.
NEXT STEPS
Lee was booked by Danville police and can be held by that division pending his extradition to Massachusetts.
