An open side door on a Ford Aerostar van that was leaving a motel near West Sunset Boulevard led a sheriff's deputy to arrest the driver on a heroin charge Monday.

Steven Keith Willard, 48, replied "ya" when Deputy Mark Smoldt asked him if he'd forgotten about the heroin Smoldt found in his van, the Spokane County Sheriff's Office said today.

Smoldt said Willard allowed him to search his van after he stopped him as he left Motel 6 in the area of 4300 West Burch Road about 7:30 a.m. Willard said he forgot to close the van door. He also said he didn't have a driver's license, according to the sheriff's office.

Smoldt confirmed Willard's license was suspended and that he had a warrant for driving on a suspended license.Smoldt found the heroin in a box of Camel cigarettes inside a book bag. He also found a glass pipe.

Willard was booked into jail on the driving warrant and a new felony charge of possession of heroin.
 

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