An Idaho man admitted Thursday he set fire to a car and a mini-van during a June vandalism spree in downtown Casper.

Thomas Avila faces up to five years in prison as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. Avila, 24, pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree arson and a single count of property destruction during a brief appearance in Natrona County District Court.

Prosecutors agreed to dismiss two burglary charges as part of the plea deal.

Judge David Park asked the defendant whether he intentionally set fire to the vehicles and broke the windows of several local businesses on June 10. Avila replied that he had.

That morning, police arrested Avila after finding him in some high weeds near the scene of one of the car fires. The officers were responding to car fires behind the KTWO-AM radio building on Nichols Avenue and on the 300 block of West BC Street.

Avila's clothing was similar to the description of a man seen by the burning car. He later told a detective he and some coworkers went to the nearby Sandbar Lounge for food and drinks that evening, according to a police affidavit. They went to Sidelines Sports Bar, and after that, Avila said he didn't remember anything else until he was in a police car.

The coworkers told police their group had returned to the Sandbar, where Avila had gotten upset, apparently because some people had teased him.

Avila should be sentenced sometime in the next few months. He remains held at Natrona County Detention Center in lieu of $50,000.

Reach crime reporter Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com.