The BERKELEY Times Vol. 31 - No. 31
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
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Former Toms River Cop Avoids Jail In Domestic Violence Case
January 24, 2026
Prison Term Sought In Dog’s Death
BREAKING NEWS @
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan jerseyshoreonline.com
Supporters wearing “Justice for Ruby” shirts gather outside Ocean County Superior Court after a pre-indictment hearing in the case involving the death of Ruby, a French bulldog, showing solidarity with the dog’s owners as the proceedings continue.
Government Page 7
Community News Pages 8-9
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Rebecca Sayegh, a former Toms River police officer, stands beside her attorney, Kelly Toner, during her sentencing hearing.
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News
By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY - A former Toms River police officer who pleaded guilty to breaking into a home and assaulting a woman during a domestic violence incident will not serve additional jail time. Instead, Rebecca Sayegh, 32, was sentenced to probation after Ocean County Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan concluded that incarceration was not appropriate under New Jersey sentencing law for a first-time offender convicted of third-degree crimes.
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Inside The Law
(Former Cop - See Page 4)
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Lawsuit: Police Helped Ex-Toms River Cop Harass Ex By Stephanie A. Faughnan BERKELEY – A violent Bayville home invasion carried out by an off-duty Toms River police officer has expanded into a far-reaching civil lawsuit accusing multiple law enforcement agencies and personnel of negligence, misconduct, and the misuse of police authority. The lawsuit centers on former Toms River Police Officer Rebecca Sayegh, 32, who pleaded guilty late last year to burglary, criminal mischief, and simple assault stemming from an April 25, 2025 incident. The civil complaint was filed on behalf of Anthony Chiarello, a detective with the Somerset County Prosecutor’s
Office, and Brianna Grochowski, a Montclair Police Department detective. In addition to Sayegh, the lawsuit names Berkeley Township, Berkeley Township Police Department, Toms River Township, the Toms River Police Department, former Berkeley Township police officer Kyle Huhn, and former Toms River Police Department dispatcher Joseph Lord. The allegations remain unproven unless established in court. Escalation Alleged Before Break-In According to the complaint, the April 25 incident followed (Lawsuit - See Page 5)
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By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER - As public interest in the killing of Ruby continues to build, prosecutors outlined a potential multi-year state prison sentence during a pre-indictment hearing in the case involving the French bulldog’s death. The proceeding unfolded in Ocean County Superior Court before Judge Kenneth Palmer, with at least 50 supporters (Prison Term - See Page 6)
Task Force: Nowhere To House Homeless
By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY - Many point to Ocean County’s homelessness crisis and argue that the missing piece is a year-round shelter. While shelters are designed to provide emergent refuge, participants at a recent Ocean County Homelessness Trust Fund task force meeting pointed to a broader challenge. The lack of affordable housing makes it incredibly difficult to transition people once temporary options end. That theme shaped a detailed discussion as county officials, nonprofit providers, advocates, and members of the public gathered in person and virtually for the meeting, chaired by Brick Township Administrator Joanne Bergin. The task force includes representatives from nonprofit service providers as well as municipalities with the (Homeless - See Page 18)
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