LEWISTON — A 23-year-old Lewiston man has pleaded guilty to setting a car on fire in June following an argument with his girlfriend.

Elijah Yeaton was sentenced last week to five years in prison with all but 18 months suspended. He was also sentenced to two years probation after his release.

Yeaton pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated criminal mischief. An arson charge was dismissed.

Police said Yeaton got into an argument with his girlfriend at their Knox Street apartment on the evening of June 2. Yeaton told his girlfriend he was going to leave her, so she put several items Yeaton had bought for her and their unborn baby — including baby clothes, pillows and a blanket — in the hall for Yeaton to take. Yeaton told her he was going to take them down the street and burn them.

Police said Yeaton followed through on his threat, burning the items under a car parked on the street. The car was owned by a man who lived nearby.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, but the car was considered a total loss.

Yeaton was arrested soon after the fire was reported.

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