By Nathan Duke
Staff Writer

DERRY – Probable cause has been found for one of two men charged in the December 2004 burglary of the DHL Worldwide Express warehouse in Londonderry, and the case is being turned over to the superior court.

The probable cause hearing for John Johnson, 34, of 38-A Bog Road, Goffstown, took place at the Derry District Court on Monday, Aug. 22, at 8:45 a.m. The case was turned over to the Rockingham Superior Court after probable cause was found. The date for the trial has yet to be determined.

Raymond Desroche, 30, of 71 Whitehall Road, Hooksett, who was also charged in the burglary, was given a continuation for his probable cause hearing. The hearing was pushed back to Monday, Sept. 26, at 8:45 a.m. at the request of his attorney, said Heather Newell, of the Londonderry Police Department’s prosecuting attorney’s office.

A probable cause hearing is a preliminary hearing that takes place after arraignment and before a crime goes to trial. The prosecution presents the basis of its case and the defendant is given right to be represented by legal counsel.

The two men were arrested on July 10 after two Manchester men – Michael Tierney, 29, and Ryan Staples, 32 – were arrested in Milford, Conn., for possession of jewelry and drugs.

The Manchester men were in possession of $130,000 in jewelry, most of which were identified as pieces stolen during the December heist.

However, Londonderry police have said the two Manchester men played no role in the heist, but likely stole the jewelry from a self-storage unit where Desroche and Johnson were keeping some of the items.

Detective Tim Jones, of the Londonderry police, said Desroche and Johnson have been linked to burglaries in other jurisdictions.

Currently, both men are being held on $250,000 cash bail.

Desroche and Johnson have been charged with a Class A felony charge of burglary, which could carry a sentence of 7 to 15 years, if convicted.