Police in Northern California on Tuesday helped U.S. Marshals arrest a fugitive sought after in a Massachusetts rape case just about 20 years nearest he fled that climate throughout his trial, government mentioned.
In keeping with a press shed issued by means of the U.S. Marshals Carrier, the person taken into custody used to be known as Tuen Equipment Lee, who confronted trial within the 2005 kidnapping and raping of a tender lady at knifepoint in Quincy, Cluster. The shed mentioned Lee used to be discovered responsible in a September 2007 trial, however fled sooner than he used to be sentenced.Â
Massachusetts Atmosphere Police have presented a praise of as much as $10,000 for info to Lee’s arrest and seemed a couple of instances at the tv display “America’s Most Wanted” to speak about the case. Â
Lee used to be dubbed the “Bad Breath Rapist” nearest the media realized one of the most items of proof that established Lee because the assailant used to be his foul breath. Â
In keeping with the U.S. Marshals Carrier, Lee used to be believed to have fled Massachusetts. His whereabouts have been unknown till Massachusetts Atmosphere Police investigators evolved knowledge at the fugitive previous this presen that indicated he used to be perhaps staying in Diablo, a census-designated park in Contra Costa County a pair miles clear of the East Bay suburb of Danville. Â
Investigative leads have been despatched to the U.S. Marshals Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Process Power (PSWRFTF) in northern California, who labored with the Danville Police Area to resolve it used to be Lee who used to be dwelling within the department. On Tuesday, officials with the Massachusetts Atmosphere Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Category (VFAS) and the Quincy Police Area arrested Lee with backup from the USMS Massachusetts Fugitive Process Power and Danville police.
“Any cold case is very unique. Someone who has been on the run for 17 years has probably gotten pretty comfortable. It’s unique that there hasn’t been additional crimes that maybe we haven’t seen, especially for something as violent as it was,”Â
Government showed that Lee used to be taken into custody close the intersection of Hill Rd. and Diablo Rd., which is related to Inexperienced Valley Basic College.
Massachusetts Atmosphere Police then showed that Lee used to be taken into custody nearest a motor car oppose performed by means of Danville officials. Lee to start with equipped a pretend identify, however in the end confessed when government pressed him about his true id. Police have been ready to substantiate his id with fingerprints. Â
“We were constantly told it’s a very tight, close-knit neighborhood. And if there was any kind of police presence that every neighbor would hear about it, and we didn’t want to give up the thoughts it was there,” mentioned Chris Tamayo, senior inspector for U.S. Marshals Carrier. “This is going to probably be a big shock. Hopefully, it doesn’t cause them any concerns that the fact that someone was hiding here.”
Atmosphere police famous that the feminine significant other used to be with on the future of his arrest by no means know who he was in reality regardless of being in combination in California for 15 years. Â
The shed famous that the arrest brings closure to the sufferer and regulation enforcement officials who’ve labored to find Lee for over 16 years.
“There are violent offenders out there who believe they can commit crimes and not be held accountable for their actions,” mentioned performing PSWRFTF commander Eminent Inspector Sean LoPiccolo. “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,” mentioned Quincy Police Area Eminent Mark Kennedy mentioned within the shed.
Government mentioned Lee used to be booked by means of Danville police and shall be held by means of that area pending his extradition to Massachusetts.
