Off-Duty Cop Broke Into Berkeley Home, Assaulted 2 People: Prosecutor

BERKELEY, NJ — An off-duty Toms River police officer is accused of breaking into a home in Berkeley, assaulting two people inside and resisting arrest, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

Rebecca Sayegh, 32, is charged with home invasion burglary, two counts of assault, two counts of criminal mischief, terroristic threats and resisting arrest in connection with the April 25 break-in, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Berkeley police responded to the report of a domestic disturbance at 11:20 p.m. that night on Evernhan Avenue, Billhimer said.

An individual - later identified as Sayegh - had smashed the glass front door of the home, entered and then assaulted and threatened two people inside the home, Billhimer said.

Sayegh also damaged the hood of a car in the driveway that belonged to one of the people inside, Billhimer said.

She was taken into custody at the scene after resisting arrest, Billhimer said.

Sayegh was initially served the charges via a summons pending a court appearance, but due to the "serious nature" of her charges, she was re-charged by way of a warrant on April 28, Billhimer said. She was taken into custody at her home by Berkeley police and taken to Ocean County Jail where she remains pending a detention hearing, Billhimer said.