Four women and two men calling themselves Gypsy refugees appeared in a Calgary court for a bail hearing Wednesday, accused of two daring liquor store robberies.

The group is accused of robbing the stores by distracting the shop owners and, in one instance, walking out with $13,000 in goods, including a safe containing cash and jewelry.

Balfour Der, the lawyer representing the accused, said they have all applied for refugee status in Canada.

"They refer to themselves as Gypsies from Romania. They landed in Canada in Montreal, so that's originally where they are from here," he said.

All six of the accused appeared together Tuesday, dressed in purple and blue prisoner suits. They have been charged with one count each of theft over $5,000 and theft under $5,000.

The judge overseeing the bail hearing requested more information on where the accused will live if they are released. The group remains in custody and will be back in court on Jan. 24.

Police say two more people wanted in connection with the robberies are still at large and another person arrested is scheduled to appear in youth court.

Other Canadian cities report similar crimes

City police say they have been contacted by police departments in Hamilton, Winnipeg and Vancouver who are investigating similar crimes in their cities.

Even if the accused receive bail on the criminal charges, they may still be detained by immigration authorities, Der said.

Melissa Anderson, a spokeswoman with the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, said that a refugee claim is not usually affected by a criminal proceeding.

"The refugee claim is not about the people in Canada it is about their home country and whether or not they have a well founded fear of persecution should they be returned to that country."