An off-duty New Jersey police officer was charged Monday after breaking into a home, assaulting two people during a domestic disturbance, and resisting arrest.
After breaking through a Toms River home's front glass door on Friday, 32-year-old Rebecca Sayegh assaulted and threatened two individuals inside. When officers arrived, she resisted their attempts to arrest her peacefully, according to the Asbury Park Press. Authorities later discovered she had also damaged the hood of a vehicle parked in the driveway.
Sayegh was charged with home invasion burglary, two counts of assault, two counts of criminal mischief, terroristic threats and resisting arrest. She is currently being held in Ocean County Jail while awaiting a bond hearing.
The incident comes six months after Sayegh filed a lawsuit against Toms River Township and several former police officials, including former Chief Mitch Little, former Captain Shaun O'Keefe, former Deputy Chief Patrick Dellane, and Sergeant Matthew Broderick.
In the suit, she alleged the department fostered a "boys' club" culture that led to her being assaulted by O'Keefe. The charges against O'Keefe were later dismissed because her lawsuit was filed after the statute of limitations had expired.
She also claimed she was repeatedly passed over for promotions and disciplined for actions that were overlooked when committed by male colleagues, according to documents obtained by the Asbury Park Press.
