A decorated New Jersey police officer now sits behind bars after allegedly breaking into a home, assaulting the occupants, and damaging property in a violent rampage that has shocked the Toms River community.
Quick Takes
- Off-duty Toms River police officer Rebecca Sayegh, 32, faces multiple charges including home invasion, burglary, assault, and terroristic threats following a violent incident on April 25.
- Sayegh allegedly broke down the front door of a residence, assaulted and threatened two victims inside, and caused significant damage to one victim’s vehicle.
- Initially issued a summons, Sayegh was later taken into custody with a warrant on April 28 due to the severity of the charges and is currently being held at Ocean County Jail.
- The officer previously filed a lawsuit against her department claiming discrimination and harassment, which was dismissed due to statute of limitations.
- Sayegh had been honored in the past for rescuing a woman and her pets from a burning home.
Violent Home Invasion by Officer Shocks Community
According to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, Rebecca Sayegh, a 32-year-old Toms River police officer who has served since 2016, allegedly embarked on a violent rampage on April 25, 2025. While off-duty, Sayegh reportedly smashed through the front door of a home on Evernhan Avenue in Berkeley Township, New Jersey. Once inside, she allegedly assaulted and threatened two victims who were in the residence at the time of the intrusion. The violence didn’t end inside the home, as Sayegh is also accused of causing significant damage to a vehicle belonging to one of the victims.
The charges against Sayegh are extensive and serious, including home invasion burglary, multiple counts of assault, criminal mischief, terroristic threats, and resisting arrest. Initially issued a summons for these offenses, authorities later determined that the severity of the charges warranted a more serious response. On April 28, just three days after the incident, officials upgraded the charges and took Sayegh into custody. She is currently being held at Ocean County Jail, awaiting a detention hearing to determine if she will remain incarcerated until trial.
"OFF-DUTY TOMS RIVER POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH HOME INVASION BURGLARY, ASSAULT, CRIMINAL MISCHIEF, TERRORISTIC THREATS, AND RESISTING ARREST
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on April 28, 2025, Rebecca Sayegh, 32, of Toms River, was charged with Home… pic.twitter.com/tKqJsUX6gQ
— Wake Up NJ 🇺🇸 New Jersey (@wakeupnj) April 29, 2025
From Heroism to Criminal Charges
The arrest represents a stunning reversal for Sayegh, who had previously been recognized for heroic actions while serving as a police officer. She had been honored for her bravery after rescuing a woman and her pets from a burning home, receiving a Class B award for her life-saving efforts. This stark contrast between her past heroism and current alleged criminal behavior has added another layer of shock to the community’s reaction. The Toms River Police Department has remained largely silent on the matter, with officials directing inquiries elsewhere.
“As per our chief of police, we do not have a comment on the matter and refer all inquiries to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office,” said Toms River police Lt. Ron Sermarini.
Authorities were careful to note that despite the serious nature of the charges, Sayegh is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The Berkeley Township Police Department has been commended for their investigation into the case. Prosecutor Billhimer emphasized that officers had attempted “to peacefully place her under arrest” but upgraded the charges “due to the serious nature of the charges” against her.
Previous Workplace Complaints and Lawsuit
Adding another dimension to Sayegh’s story is her previous legal battle against her own department. Court records show that Sayegh had filed a lawsuit against the Toms River Police Department alleging discrimination and harassment. In her complaint, she described the department as having a “boys club” culture that she claimed had led to her being passed over for promotions. The lawsuit painted a picture of what she characterized as a toxic and misogynistic environment within the police department.
“Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on April 28, 2025, Rebecca Sayegh, 32, of Toms River, was charged with Home Invasion Burglary, two counts of Assault, two counts of Criminal Mischief, Terroristic Threats, and Resisting Arrest, all in connection with a series of events that occurred in Berkeley Township on April 25, 2025.” stated Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.
Specifically, Sayegh claimed that former Captain Shaun O’Keefe had followed her into a bathroom and made inappropriate advances during a police event. O’Keefe denied these allegations, and ultimately the claims against him and the department were dismissed due to statute of limitations issues. The Toms River Police Department has not commented on whether this previously dismissed lawsuit has any connection to the current criminal case against Sayegh.
