A Jersey City man who was fired from his job at an Ocean Avenue fried-chicken joint yesterday punched his boss in the face and stole nearly $60 from the store’s cash register in retaliation, according to police.

Eric Gadson, 31, of Lembeck Avenue, has been charged with aggravated assault in the alleged attack, and with theft for an unrelated, earlier incident.

The restaurant owner told police Gadson has worked at the Ocean Avenue business for about two months, and “has arrived at work drunk numerous times,” according to police reports. When he fired Gadson Monday at about noon, Gadson punched him in the face, knocking his boss to the ground, reports said.

Gadson then ran to the cash register and took $58 from it, according to reports.

The boss’ girlfriend, an employee of the restaurant, told Gadson, “Just put the money back and we will not call the police,” to which Gadson replied, “I don’t care, call the police,” adding an expletive, reports said.

The restaurant owner’s mouth was bleeding and his jaw was swollen, but he refused medical attention, according to reports.

About three hours later, Gadson returned to the scene, and police were notified, reports said. He was placed under arrest.

“I didn’t rob anyone,” he said, according to police. “I just took the money he owed me.”

While processing Gadson, police found he had a warrant out for failure to appear on a past incident. The theft charge is related to that incident.