He picked the wrong woman to mess with.
A tough-as-nails jogger ripped the shirt clean off the back of a mugger who robbed her as she ran through Central Park early Monday, police said.
The victim was running along Center Drive near the 65th Street Transverse at 5:45 a.m. when a man rushed her and grabbed her cellphone, according to cops.
The gutsy gal kicked the crook and grabbed his shirt — but he punched her in the face and tried to break free, police said.
She held on tight to his shirt, tearing it completely off as he ran away, according to cops.
Cops are searching for the shirtless scoundrel, who made off with her cellphone, officials said.
Police may be able to get a DNA sample from the shirt to track down the thief, officials said. It would take at least two weeks to yield a result, a police source said.
The victim suffered minor injuries and refused medical attention at the scene, according to cops.