Officer Charged In Home Invasion Threatened To Burn Down Ex-Boyfriend's Home: Report

TOMS RIVER, NJ — An off-duty Toms River police officer threatened to burn down her ex-boyfriend's home when she broke in and assaulted him and a woman, according to a report.

Rebecca A. Sayegh used a baton to smash the glass front door of the home in Berkeley Township on Friday night, the report by NJ.com said, quoting court documents.

Rebecca A. Sayegh, 32, has been charged with home invasion burglary, two counts of assault, two counts of criminal mischief, terroristic threats and resisting arrest in the incident that was reported about 11:20 p.m. Friday, the prosecutor's office has said.

She was initially charged Friday night by Berkeley Township police then released on a summons, but Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said she was charged on a warrant Monday and re-arrested. She is being held in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing that is scheduled for Friday.

Sayegh's attorney, Terrance Turnbach, said the officer "understands the significance of the charges filed against her. She has been a member of the Toms River Police Department and proudly served her community for almost nine years. She is taking all of the appropriate steps to properly address the matter at hand and will remain cooperative throughout the pending legal proceedings."

The NJ.com report said it started as an argument before turning physical. Patch has requested a copy of the affidavit.

Sayegh also is accused of damaging the hood of a vehicle belonging to one of the victims that was parked in the driveway, authorities said.

An email to her attorney, Terrance Turnbach, seeking comment was not immediately answered Wednesday morning.

Sayegh has a lawsuit alleging sex discrimination pending against the Toms River Police Department and Toms River Township, accusing the police department of passing over her for promotions because she is a woman.

It also accuses the township and the department of covering up allegations that a former captain in the department, Shaun O'Keefe, sexually assaulted her at a June 15, 2022 event hosted by the Toms River Police Foundation.

The lawsuit was filed Oct. 30; the portion accusing O'Keefe of sexual assault and harassment was dismissed on April 15, according to court records, on the basis that it was filed more than two years after the alleged assault.

The sexual assault allegations first surfaced publicly in October 2024 in an election campaign letter signed by Councilwoman Lynn O'Toole, which claimed former Police Chief Mitch Little covered up the incident.

Maurice Hill, who was mayor at the time of the incident, has said the matter was turned over to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office immediately.

Note: This article has been updated with comment from Sayegh's attorney, Terrance Turnbach.