Woman knocked out and robbed in front of her child

NEW YORK (FOX5NY) - Police in New York City have arrested a man who they say knocked a woman unconscious and robbed her in front of her 4-year-old son.

The shocking incident took place on Monday at about 2 p.m. on 84 Street in Queens.

Police say Derrick Chirse, 57, approached the 35-year-old woman who was walking with her son. He demanded that she give him her purse and then punched her in the face, head, chest, and back. She fell to the ground unconscious.

He then grabbed her purse and ran away down 84 St. Good Samaritans chased him until he climbed onto the roof of a CVS store on Atlantic Avenue and got away.

The woman suffered bruising and swelling to her face and body.  She was treated and released from a nearby hospital. The 4-year-old child was unharmed. 
 
Police arrested Chirse about 10 a.m. on Tuesday. He faces robbery, endangering the welfare of a child and other charges. It was unclear if he had a lawyer.