A group of self-proclaimed Romanian Gypsies will be spending a few more months behind bars for two daring liquor store thefts in Calgary.

During sentencing Tuesday, Justice Sandy Park said the crime was an "inappropriate way" to repay the country in which the six sought refugee status.

One store owner said the women held up scarves to block his view of the thefts, as seen on this surveillance video taken Jan. 9.One store owner said the women held up scarves to block his view of the thefts, as seen on this surveillance video taken Jan. 9.
(CBC)

Park handed two of the group sentences of four months, while the other four received three-month terms. That is on top of the two months they've already spent at Calgary's remand centre.

Crown lawyer Gary Cornfield said the sentences were shorter than he had hoped for, but added that they will still send the right message: "We don't want people in this community who committed well-orchestrated, well-executed crimes on vulnerable victims."

Speaking outside court, defence lawyer Balfour Der said the group was shocked at the sentence.

In one instance, the group walked out with $13,000 in goods, including a safe containing cash and jewelry, as seen on this Jan. 9 video.In one instance, the group walked out with $13,000 in goods, including a safe containing cash and jewelry, as seen on this Jan. 9 video.
(CBC)

"They were quite hopeful that they would be released today," he said. "Two months is a long time in jail for anyone. It's especially long if you're isolated, if you can't speak the language."

Canadian immigration officials have issued holding warrants for the six, who now face deportation.

The two men and four women, one of whom is pregnant and close to giving birth, range in age from 19 to 38. They landed in Montreal as refugees and moved to Calgary earlier this year.

They had already pleaded guilty to three charges of theft at two Calgary liquor stores in January. In one instance, they walked out with $13,000 in goods, including a safe containing cash and jewelry.

A store owner told CBC News the women distracted him by singing and holding up scarves to block his view of the thefts.

One of the group also pleaded guilty to an additional charge of breaking into and entering a residence adjacent to a grocery store.

With files from the Canadian Press