NEW YORK (1010 WINS)  -- The Transportation Authority has Police Commissioner Ray Kelly mad over a new policy that may have allowed an alleged purse snatcher to get away.

1010 WINS AUDIO: Al Jones reports

Several women on subway platforms have had their purses snatched over the past week by a man who allegedly escapes using the subway tunnels, police say.

Police say they were in hot pursuit of the man, who fled down a subway tunnel Thursday. When they asked the T.A. to turn off the power to the tracks in order to pursue him, they refused saying permission had to come from a T.A. official. The failure to shut down the power allowed the man to escape, police say.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said in a statement that the new policy "is intended to ensure that disruptions of service only occur when absolutely essential while providing transit authority the opportunity to direct trains into the closest stations. This allows the MTA to make appropriate announcements to our customers."

The alleged purse snatcher has robbed several women on subway platforms over the past week.

The man has approached four women since Sunday and in each incident has fled into the subway tunnel after stealing their purses, police said. The incidents have allegedly happened on subway platforms in Gramercy Park and Greenwich Village, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.

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