Cop accidentally shoots suspect during arrest, police say

A transit cop accidentally shot a homeless man while trying to arrest him on Tuesday night for allegedly swiping cash off an outdoor table at a Harlem restaurant, police said Wednesday.

Cops joined two men who were chasing Richard Pearson after he allegedly stole $40 from a table outside Picante Mexican Restaurant at about 10:15 p.m. Tuesday, police said.

When Pearson eventually stopped running, he tried to hide his hands under his body so cops couldn't cuff him, an NYPD spokesman said, and one of the officers accidentally shot him in the right calf as he tried to put his gun back in his holster to arrest him.

Pearson, 47, was taken to Harlem Hospital Center, where he was arrested on several charges.