A Montreal man who tried to buy a Mac computer using stolen identification and credit cards was sentenced to four months in jail on Monday.

Artyum Pasternak, 24, pleaded guilty in provincial court to fraud over $5,000 and to illegal use of an ID document.

The attempted fraud took place at London Drugs on July 5. RCMP had earlier issued a fraud bulletin across the Interior, warning of suspicious purchases made at the London Drug and Visions Electronics in Vernon and Kelowna by someone using the name Antona.

A store manager was alerted when Pasternak approached the electronics sales desk at the store using ID with the same name. The manager attempted to stall the suspect by feigning a sales transaction. When RCMP arrived, Pasternak attempted to flee the store but was quickly tackled by an officer. A search of the suspect turned up four pieces of false ID, including credit cards and a Quebec driver’s licence.

Defence and Crown lawyers jointly recommended that Pasternak, whose family emigrated from Russia when he was 15, serve four months. The man has a criminal history stemming from youth offences.

Judge Stephen Harrison granted the man credit for the 80 days he’s spent in custody so far and placed him on probation for a year. He was acquitted of six other charges, including identity theft and resisting arrest.

Pasternak will be released next month but won’t be spending much time in Kamloops outside of KRCC. His probation conditions include a stipulation that he cannot go to Kamloops, Vernon or Kelowna. He has airfare with which to fly home. The judge gave him sufficient time to arrange the trip upon his release. He was also ordered to pay a $200 victim surcharge fee by Dec. 31 and cannot possess any credit card or identification that is not his own.

The fraudster was travelling with two friends, who are co-accused in the case. Denys Ranyuk has elected to be tried by judge and jury. There is an outstanding warrant for the arrest of the third man, Sergiy Kaspirovych.