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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A Yellowknife man with a lengthy criminal record was sentenced to six months in jail Wednesday after he was caught trying to break into a video store last month.

Jacob Griep, 24, was caught by police on Oct. 15 at around 2 a.m. outside Video Headquarters. He was banging on the door while holding a lock punch - a tool that could be used to break locks on doors.

After police arrived, Crown attorney Sandy Aitken said Griep walked toward them with his hands "on his groin area" and continued towards them despite instructions to drop to the ground.

While walking toward the officers a knife fell from Griep's possession. RCMP eventually got him on the ground and arrested him.

He was also sentenced for breaching his probation conditions on Sept. 19 when he went to the house of a woman he was instructed to have no contact with. The woman phoned RCMP to tell them Griep was kicking in the door.

Griep was also sentenced for a theft-related incident at Wal-Mart on Oct. 5. He was caught on surveillance footage with another person holding a bag with several items, including binoculars, that were being put inside. Griep was already under a court order barring him from Wal-Mart at the time.

Aitken described Griep's criminal history as "fairly extensive." His record includes 21 convictions stretching back to 2004. Griep was previously handed three years probation last February.

Defense attorney Kelly Payne advised the court that Griep is on medication for psychosis but had problems taking it regularly while living on the street.

"I'm doing good in jail and trying to get along with people," said Griep.

He asked Bruser to take his efforts into account. Bruser replied he would, but remarked "you keep committing crimes."

"You need to be in jail a little longer," said Bruser, adding that Griep still poses a risk to the public. Griep was given a total of six months in jail with credit for time in remand, leaving him with four months left to serve.