A former New Jersey police officer, Rebecca Sayegh, has been permanently banned from working in law enforcement in the state after pleading guilty to burglary, criminal mischief, and assault. The incident occurred when Sayegh broke into her ex-boyfriend’s home in Berkeley, where she confronted him and his new girlfriend. As part of her guilty plea, Sayegh has forfeited her position with the Toms River Township Police Department and any future public employment in New Jersey.
Sayegh, who had been suspended without pay prior to her guilty plea, is facing a potential 180-day jail sentence as part of her probation. Prosecutors are also seeking restitution for the damages caused during the rampage. The violent incident involved Sayegh using her baton to break into the home, leading to a physical altercation with her ex-boyfriend and his new partner. Despite their attempts to restrain her, Sayegh continued to cause destruction in the home and damaged a car belonging to one of the victims.
During the chaotic incident, the new girlfriend managed to call 911 from the backyard as Sayegh resisted arrest and threatened to burn down the house. Following her arrest, Sayegh was released under New Jersey’s bail reform system. She was subsequently suspended without pay from the Toms River Township Police Department after nine years on the force and is awaiting sentencing in January 2026.
This guilty plea comes after Sayegh filed a lawsuit against the department and township alleging sexual harassment and gender discrimination by former Police Chief Mitch Little and other superiors. Despite these claims, Sayegh’s actions in the April incident led to her permanent ban from working in law enforcement in New Jersey.
