A Massachusetts fugitive notorious as the “Bad Breath Rapist” was arrested by U.S. marshals and other law enforcement officials in California on Tuesday after nearly 17 years on the run.
U.S. Marshals announced Tuesday that the Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (PSWRFTF) in Northern California and the Massachusetts Fugitive Task Force, with assistance from Massachusetts State Police and Quincy Police, arrested 55-year-old Tuyen Kit Ly.
Lee is accused of being a fugitive from justice in September 2007. A jury found him guilty of kidnapping and raping a woman in 2005 when he fled before sentencing.
Boston 25 News reported that authorities allege Lee’s family owned a restaurant in Quincy and that the suspect broke into the restaurant on Feb. 2, 2005, and raped a waitress at his home.
Investigators allege that during the crimes, Lee wore a mask and held the victim at knifepoint before tying her to a bed with zip ties and sexually assaulting her.
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Tuen Kit Lee booking photo (Massachusetts State Police)
The victim was found several hours later tied to her bed by her boyfriend, who told investigators he had gone to her home after he couldn’t get through to her on the phone.
Victims identified Lee as the culprit by his bad breath, leading the media to dub him the “bad breath rapist.”
After his conviction on kidnapping and rape charges, Lee is believed to have fled the state and was missing until recently.
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U.S. Marshals arrested Tuyen Kit Ly in California. (File )
Deputies said Massachusetts State Police received information that Lee may be living in Diablo, California.
State police contacted the U.S. Marshals in Northern California, who looked into this information and were able to confirm that he was, in fact, in the area. Lee was taken into custody Tuesday morning, ending a 16-year manhunt.
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“There are violent criminals out there who believe they will not be held accountable for their crimes,” said Chief Inspector Sean LoPiccolo, Acting Commander of the PSWRFTF. “Tuyen Ly has been at large for more than 16 years, but we hope that law enforcement’s unwavering determination to locate and apprehend him will bring some peace of mind to the victim and his family.”
