Those that get a smaller penalty, i.e. those who steal under $5k, are overwhelmingly not wealthy. Wealthy people are not snatching people's purses on the street.
Of course. But the point is that 5k is FAR too low. The difference between stealing 5k and 50m is far greater than the difference between stealing $200 and $5001. Now read all my comments with this in mind and maybe you'll get what we've been saying.
The line at $5000 does not ascribe an equal punishment to crimes below or above that point. It changes the class of offense. The penalty will vary based on circumstances within what those classes allow.