Teresita Del Rosario. Photo: Pittsburg Police

By Pittsburg Police Department

In October 2018 the Pittsburg Police Department became aware of a scam involving Teresita Del Rosario, a 74-year-old Brentwood resident and a business owner in the City of Pittsburg. The case was immediately assigned to the Investigations Division where it was thoroughly investigated over the course of the last several months. Through the course of the investigation, it was learned Del Rosario was the owner of Best Haven Realty and Mortgage located at 3128 Harbor Street and offered a wide range of services, including tax preparation and notary services.

Del Rosario used her authority and trust placed in her by her customers to prey on unsuspecting victims. Del Rosario presented false pretenses to victims using a scam known as the “Advance Fee Scheme” or “Nigerian Scam” to obtain large amounts of money from them, with no intention of paying them back.

Investigators learned of a victim, a client whom she provided tax services for, that reported Del Rosario stated that she had come into a large amount of money ($2.8 million) which was tied up in an offshore account in the Philippines. Del Rosario related she needed a loan from the victim to pay for taxes and other fees, or the money wouldn’t be released to her. Del Rosario showed the victim online records and other documentation to support her claims and requested a $12,000.00 loan from the victim, ensuring him she would give him $24,000.00 by the end of the week in return payment. To reassure the victim, Del Rosario completed a notarized Promissory Note which she provided to him and displayed fraudulent documentation supporting her claims.

Through the investigation, other victims have been identified. The same scheme was used on an elderly couple who trusted Del Rosario with their tax preparation for 17 years. The elderly victims had been defrauded by Del Rosario in excess of $75,000.00 over the course of several months under the same false pretenses. Detectives have served numerous search warrants to banks and followed other leads. Ultimately, it was discovered Del Rosario was endorsing the Cashier’s Checks provided to her by the victims and endorsing them into a third party’s name to avoid detection and wiring funds to an offshore bank account.

The case was brought to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and reviewed by Deputy District Attorney Dodie Katague. The Office of the District Attorney ultimately filed charges against Del Rosario for multiple charges including Grand Theft, Theft by False Pretenses, and Elder Abuse.

On April 17, 2019, the Pittsburg Police Department Investigations Division served a search warrant at Best Haven Realty and Mortgage and took Del Rosario into custody for the above-mentioned charges.

This investigation is still ongoing. It is believed that there are further victims that have been defrauded by Del Rosario and is asking for help identifying as of yet unknown victims. If you or someone you know is a victim of fraud purported by Del Rosario or an associate of hers, contact Detective Jonathan Elmore at 925-252-4875.

Discovery Bay Chase bank branch. Photo by KTVU Fox2

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

At approximately 9:50am, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff responded to a report of an armed robbery at a bank on the 14800 block of State Route 4 in Discovery Bay.

A witness at the location reported she saw two men run into the bank and run out shortly after, carrying what was thought to be a handgun and a backpack.

Deputy Sheriffs arrived at the location and confirmed that an armed robbery had occurred. The two suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.

They were last seen running to a vehicle and leaving the area north on Bixler Road. The suspects are outstanding.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Office of the Sheriff at (925) 646-2441 or (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

By Pittsburg Police Department

Late Thursday evening, shortly after 9 P.M., Pittsburg officers responded to a residence on Hermosa Avenue in regards to a stabbing. When officers arrived, they found a man outside suffering from stab wounds to his upper body. The man was transported to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek where he later died due to multiple stab wounds to the upper body.

The Pittsburg Police Department Investigations Division and CSI Team responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Detectives quickly contacted witnesses to the incident and obtained a description of the suspect and a car that was seen driving away from the location. The car, a white four-door sedan, was later determined to have fled the area towards State Route 4. Detective utilized the city of Pittsburg’s surveillance camera system, along with the recently installed county-wide Freeway Security Network, to locate the sedan as it traveled eastbound on State Route 4. With the use of this surveillance system, detectives were able to obtain a license plate for the car.

Detectives later authored an Arrest and Search Warrant for a residence located in the town of Knightsen. The Pittsburg Police Department tactical team conducted the service of the warrant early this morning and took the suspect, identified as Jimmy Lee Biles, Jr. (48 years old), into custody. It is unknown at this time the relationship between Biles, Jr. and the victim.

This case remains an active investigation and no additional details are available at this time. The name of the victim is being withheld pending notifications. This is the City of Pittsburg’s third homicide of the year.

The Pittsburg Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance and asks anyone with additional information to please contact the Pittsburg Police Department Tip-Line at 925-252-4040.

By Pittsburg Police Department

On Monday afternoon, April 1, 2019, Pittsburg officers responded to a residence on Beechwood Court in regards to a stabbing. When officers arrived, they found an adult female suffering from stab wounds to her upper body. The woman was identified as Kirstiene Catapusan (28 years old). Catapusan was later transported to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek where she died due to multiple stab wounds to the upper body.

During the investigation, it was learned that Catapusan and her cousin, identified as suspect Henry Brodie, III (29 years old), engaged in an argument inside the residence. During the argument, Brodie became enraged with Catapusan and stabbed her several times with a large knife he retrieved from the house. Family members at the residence intervened, detained Brodie and called 911. Officers arrived at the house and placed Brodie under arrested, later transporting him to the police department. During the investigation Brodie was interviewed by detective and admitted to his actions, stabbing Catapusan several times during the argument. He was later booked and transport to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Today, detectives met with the District Attorney’s Office to review the case for charges against Brodie. The District Attorney’s Office filed Murder charges against Brodie. Brodie remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility on a $2,000,000 bail. This is the city of Pittsburg’s second homicide of the year.

Paul Shatswell

By Pittsburg Police Department

On Saturday, March 16, 2019, Pittsburg officers responded to a residence on Barrie Drive in regards to a shooting. When officers and medical personnel arrived they found a 45-year-old man, identified as Paul Shatswell, with a gunshot wound. It was later determined during a domestic altercation the man’s wife, 39-year-old Maria Vides, shot him with a handgun. The man was transported to a local hospital and has been in critical condition since this incident occurred. On Sunday March 24, 2019, Paul Shatswell died as a result of his injuries.

Last week, on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, this investigation was reviewed by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. Vides was charged with attempted murder, an enhancement of inflicting great bodily injury in the commission of a felony, and an enhancement of committing a felony with the use of a firearm. Bail for Vides was set at $2,070,000. Due to the death of Shatswell, the case will be taken back to the District Attorney’s Office for additional review and Investigators will be seeking the charges against Vides be amended to include murder.

Vides remains in custody at the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Main Jail in Martinez. This is the city of Pittsburg’s first homicide of the year.