New York -- A former model mauled a mugger on the streets of New York City, beating the man senseless after he grabbed her purse.

Silva Natividad, 54, told The New York Post she was so angry when the man took her money she went after him.

The man tried to take off with the cash, but "you know how in 'COPS,' when they jump on the person before they run away? That's what I did," she told the newspaper.

She called 911 and told the dispatcher, "If you don't come and get this guy I'm going to kill him."

The suspect, Jonathan Burkes, was charged with robbery and criminal possession of stolen property.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.