A former police officer in the United States has admitted to a violent home invasion, during which she attacked her former boyfriend and his new partner.
Off-Duty Officer's Violent Rampage
Rebecca Sayegh, 32, a former officer with the Toms River Township Police Department in New Jersey, pleaded guilty to charges relating to the incident on April 25. Berkeley Township Police were called to a domestic disturbance at a home at 11:20pm that night.
Prosecutors stated that Sayegh, who was off-duty, used her police-issue baton to smash through the front glass door of the property. The home belonged to a man she had been in a relationship with for five years and had previously lived with.
Confrontation and Destruction
Once inside, Sayegh confronted her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend, leading to a heated argument. The situation quickly turned physical, with Sayegh shoving and pushing both victims.
Although the pair attempted to restrain the former officer, she broke free. She then went on a rampage, smashing items inside the home and causing damage to the hood of a car parked in the driveway, which belonged to one of the victims.
The new girlfriend fled to the back garden to call the police for help. When officers arrived at the scene, Sayegh reportedly attempted to fight them and resisted arrest before finally being taken into custody.
Consequences and Guilty Plea
As she was led away, Sayegh threatened to burn down her ex-boyfriend's home. The total damage from the incident was estimated at around $2,000 (approximately £1,514) to the property and $500 (about £378) to the vehicle.
As a direct result of her guilty plea at the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, Sayegh was forced to surrender her job and is barred from all future public employment in the state of New Jersey. She was initially released from the Ocean County Jail under the state's bail reform laws.
The case comes after Sayegh filed a lawsuit against her department and township last year, alleging sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination, which she claimed denied her promotions. Her sentencing is scheduled for January 26 of next year.
