(Update 2:20 p.m. ) – A St. Joseph man is accused of driving a vehicle stolen from the home that was destroyed by a fire Monday and was also the site of a double murder last summer.

Brian Scott Stepp, 25 is charged in Buchanan County with a felony for first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle.

Investigators were called out to a home located on 8610 Hurlingen Road after 3 p.m. Monday to assist fire crews that were concerned about contents of the residence.  The fire caused extensive damage and the Missouri State Fire Marshall’s Office was called in to investigate.

Col. Bill Puett said it was determined that items were stolen from the property, including a vehicle.

According to court document on Tuesday around 1:30 p.m. investigators saw Stepp driving a 1997 Ford Power Stroke Diesel that was stolen from the property on Hurlingen Road.

“We watched him exit the driver’s seat and go into a residence,”Investigator Tami Parsons with the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Dept. said. “Stepp indicated to us he forcibly entered the detached garage located at 8610 NE Hurlingen Road and took the Ford pickup.”

Puett said deputies arrested a man Tuesday evening in Country Side Trailer Court in connection with the investigation of property that was taken.  A woman has also been taken into custody in relation to that investigation, no charges were filed against her as of 2:20 p.m. Wednesday.

Bond for Stepp was set at $25,000 cash.

The Fire Marshall’s Office is still investigating the fire on Hurlingen Road.  That home was also the site where James and Beverly Johnson were found dead of gunshot wounds in July.  Their grandson, 16-year-old Joseph Johnson pleaded guilty to the shootings and is slated for a sentencing hearing on March 4. No one has been living in the home since the couple’s deaths.