OCEAN COUNTY — A former Toms River police officer is permanently out of law enforcement after admitting to charges connected to a late-night incident at a Berkeley Township home earlier this year, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
32-year-old Rebecca Sayegh pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal mischief and simple assault before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan.
Prosecutors said they plan to request a 180-day county jail term as a condition of probation when she returns to court for sentencing on January 16. Restitution and a no-contact order are also expected.
The plea requires Sayegh to forfeit her position with the Toms River Police Department and bars her from future public employment in New Jersey. Her termination became effective as soon as the plea was entered.
Authorities said Berkeley Township officers were dispatched to a home on Evernhan Avenue shortly before midnight on April 25 after receiving a report of a disturbance. Investigators determined that Sayegh, who was off duty at the time, shattered the glass on the front door before entering the house. Police also said she caused damage to a vehicle parked in the driveway.
She was also accused of assaulting and threatening two victims, authorities said.
Sayegh was arrested at the scene after resisting officers’ attempts to take her into custody, according to the prosecutor. She was later released under the state’s bail reform laws.
Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer credited Chief Assistant Prosecutor Michael Abatemarco for overseeing the case, and commended Berkeley Township and Toms River police for their investigative work.
