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PHILADELPHIA – The 45th arrest could be the charm for authorities in Philadelphia trying to convict a suspected career criminal.
Federal authorities stepped in this week to prosecute 23-year-old John Gassew after he’s walked free on 44 city arrests, many for violent crimes.
The failure to convict Gassew was a focal point in a recent Philadelphia Inquirer series on city courts.
But Gassew now faces a much higher conviction rate — and longer sentence — in the federal system.
The latest charges involve an October armed robbery of a 7-Eleven. Police say they shot him as he fled.
A judge Friday denied Gassew bail until a detention hearing Wednesday.
Public defender Ross Thompson says he just got the case and has no immediate comment.