Within hours after 89-year-old George Rogers was found beaten to death in his home last month, a Roanoke man was charged with stealing the dead man's car.

But a grand larceny charge filed against Jesse James Corbin Jr. was dropped Tuesday at the request of prosecutors, who said it would be premature to prosecute the 19-year-old at this point.

"There's an ongoing murder investigation, this [the charge against Corbin] may be related to that, and we don't want to jeopardize any future charges," Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Bill Braxton said after the charge was dropped in Roanoke General District Court.

Braxton declined to say whether Corbin is considered a suspect in Rogers' death.

It's possible that prosecutors could reinstate the charge against Corbin in the future.

Rogers, a popular fixture in Northwest Roanoke known for his volunteer work, was found dead in his Orange Avenue home the morning of Aug 18. He had apparently been beaten in the head and left in his hallway, according to a search warrant.

Several hours after Rogers' ex-wife discovered his body, Corbin was spotted driving the man's 1997 Ford Crown Victoria on 13th Street Northwest, police have said.

Corbin was arrested and later released on bond. At his appearance in court Tuesday, Judge Fred King warned him that his legal troubles may not be over.

"It's possible that you may find yourself back in front of the court on this or another matter," the judge said.

No sooner had Corbin stepped out of the courtroom than the judge's words proved prophetic. A police officer waiting with a warrant for the man's arrest handcuffed him and led him away.

Corbin was charged with grand larceny and obtaining money by false pretenses in an offense that was unrelated to the Rogers case, according to police spokeswoman Aisha Johnson.