NJ Cop That Broke Into Home, Attacked Ex, New Girlfriend Pleads Guilty, Loses Job

TOMS RIVER, NJ — An off-duty Toms River police officer who smashed the glass front door of her ex-boyfriend's home then assaulted him and his girlfriend has pleaded guilty in the case, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Monday.

Rebecca Sayegh, 32, pleaded guilty on Monday to burglary, criminal mischief, and simple assault before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan in the incident that happened in Berkeley Township on April 24, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

At sentencing prosecutors are seeking a jail sentence of 180 days, along with no contact with the victims and restitution, the prosecutor's office said. Sayegh also forfeited her job as a police officer effective Monday, along with all future public employment in New Jersey, Billhimer said.

Sayegh, who had worked for the Toms River Police Department since 2016, was off-duty when she went to the home on Evernhan Avenue about 11 p.m. on April 24, smashed the door and let herself in, then assaulted the couple and threatened them, prosecutors said.

Her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend had been watching TV in the living room and met Sayegh in the foyer, prosecutors said. She was screaming profanities and the fight turned physical, at one point resulting in Sayegh's nail poking the other woman in the eye, authorities said.

While the couple tried to keep the dogs out of the broken glass in the foyer, Sayegh began smashing other items and threw a houseplant, authorities said. She then went upstairs to get more items, and as Sayegh went upstairs, the couple ran outside and called Berkeley police, the prosecutor said.

When police arrived Sayegh was coming out of the garage of the house, and when she was told she was being arrested "became irate," the prosecutor said, screaming more profanities and struggling with officers as they tried to arrest her.

Sayegh at one point screamed she would "burn the ---- house down next, you piece of ---," authorities said, reading from the affidavit.

She had been in a relationship with her ex-boyfriend for five years and had lived with him, her attorney said during her detention hearing. She still had belongings at the home, including her dog, named Rookie, and clothing in a spare bedroom, he said. A video of bodycam footage from Sayegh's arrest included audio of her saying they had been broken up for two years at the time

The damage to the house was estimated at $2,000 and damage to one car that was scratched with an unknown object was estimated at $500, authorities said.

Sentencing is set for Jan. 16, the prosecutor's office said.

Previous reporting:

• Off-Duty Toms River Police Officer Smashed Glass Door, Assaulted Pair In Home: Prosecutor
• Officer Charged In Home Invasion Threatened To Burn Down Ex-Boyfriend's Home: Report
• Officer Accused In Home Invasion Alleged Discrimination By Toms River Police Department
• Toms River Cop Accused In Attack On Ex, New Girlfriend Headed To Mental Health Facility