Cops bust man in beating of mom in front of son, 4

Cops arrested a homeless man for pummeling a mom unconscious in front of her 4-yearold son in Queens Monday afternoon and grabbing her purse, police said.

Cops busted Derrick Chirse, 57, Tuesday at the Salvation Army shelter where he was staying on Clarkson Ave. near Albany Ave. in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.

A Department of Homeless Services security officer at the shelter had recognized Chirse from a photo distributed by police Monday and called detectives.

The 35-year-old mother was walking with her son on 84th St. near Atlantic Ave. in Ozone Park about 2 p.m. when Chirse allegedly demanded her purse, said police. He then punched her in her face, head, chest and back as her horrified son watched. She lost consciousness, and he grabbed the purse and ran west on 84th St.

Chirse (photo) has served at least three stints in prison, including 21 years for a Brooklyn manslaughter. He got out in January after serving almost two years on a weapons charge.

Medics took the mom to a nearby hospital, where she was treated for bruises and swelling. The boy was not hurt.