What the hell?

I know someone from like 3 states over on r/trueoffmychest that got 2 years federal prison for shoplifting. I'm assuming it was like a big haul or something but what I don't get is that for most of my life I used to do it on a regular basis. For about a year or two I like regularly did it and got away with it. I've only gotten caught like 2-3 times but those times didn't get a lawyer, paid a fine, or was dismissed. I don't think either of those times I was caught for anything over 1k. Hell, the only time I was sent to jail was for not paying my fine for shoplifting on time.