A former police officer from Toms River, New Jersey, Rebecca Sayegh, has been permanently banned from working in law enforcement in the state following a violent incident at her ex-boyfriend’s residence. The 32-year-old ex-officer pleaded guilty to charges of burglary, criminal mischief, and simple assault on November 17, after unlawfully entering her ex-partner’s home in Berkeley in April, as reported by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
In addition to her guilty plea, Sayegh has also officially relinquished her position with the Toms River Township Police Department and is prohibited from any future public employment in New Jersey. Prior to the November ruling, Sayegh had been suspended without pay.
Prosecutors are recommending a 180-day sentence in the Ocean County Jail as part of her probation. They also insist on no contact with the victims and restitution payment. The charges against Sayegh originate from a violent incident in which she used her baton to break into her ex-boyfriend’s home around 11:20 p.m. on April 25, confronting him and his new girlfriend, as reported by NJ.com.
The off-duty officer, who had previously lived in the house with her ex-boyfriend of five years, engaged in a heated argument with the couple, which escalated to physical altercations. Despite attempts by the victims to restrain Sayegh, she managed to break free, causing damage to the property and one victim’s car.
As the situation escalated, the new girlfriend retreated to the backyard and dialed 911. Sayegh reportedly resisted arrest and even attempted to fight with the responding officers. After being restrained, she allegedly threatened to set her ex-boyfriend’s house on fire.
The damage caused by the former officer is estimated to be around $2,000 to the house and an additional $500 to one victim’s car. Despite her arrest, Sayegh was released from the Ocean County Jail under New Jersey’s bail reform system. She was also suspended without pay from the Toms River Township Police Department, where she had served for nine years.
Sayegh is scheduled for sentencing on January 26, 2026. This guilty plea follows a lawsuit she filed against the department and township last year, alleging sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination by former Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little and other superiors within the department.