If you get status from being a drug addicted vagrant reselling stolen merchandise and living off of charity then I suspect you could get "status" from a wide variety of things - many of which are legal and preferable.

I don't believe there is a "criminal hierarchy" here. It's not like this guy is a level 2 fence working a theft team. I assume it's a loose association of drug addicts, drug dealers, petty thieves, dumpster divers, and resellers with lots of overlap on every category.

He may want status, but nobody is entitled to it. Some people are born into circumstances that gives them undeserved status, which is unfortunate. But for those born without status, earn it if you want it. You aren't owed status by society.