I'll agree with that and add to it as well -- there's also the perception that powering up a whole car is an expensive endeavor. I can easily imagine that the

I'll agree with that and add to it as well -- there's also the perception that powering up a whole car is an expensive endeavor. I can easily imagine that the cop who saw the guy plugged in probably saw dollars trickling from the wall, where a cell phone plugged in wouldn't seem as expensive. I feel like petty theft incidents like this for first-time offenders should be handled more delicately -- e.g., he can pay back the amount stolen, and perhaps a $50 court cost, but while I agree that jail seems excessive for the crime, there was indeed a crime committed, and perhaps illustrating to the officers that it was only 5 cents worth of crime would lessen the severity.