Charlie,
You bring up the fact that perhaps he needed the boost to get home safely. That may be the case. However, If was driving a gas powered car, could he take a gallon from a school bus to get home? Taking gas from a school bus sounds much worse than what he did but, is it really?
Not picking on ya. Just bringing up a point. I still am not sure where I stand on this one myself. I see the fact that it may have only been a few pennies but, pennies here pennies there,,,they all add up. Was he wrong? Sure he was. Is jail time a bit much though? I kinda think so.