Since when do I have to assume the intentions of a ****ing criminal or what he's packing? Here's another question.
TNO, your grandmother is walking down the street. Some ****ing thug walks up and tries to grab her purse, which includes her SS money, her prescription medicine which she may have to take in an hour, all of her identification and credit cards, etc., is she justifiable in dropping the piece of shit right there? She's a frail lady, he's a thug. So, what say you? Should she just let the mofo take it? Or drop his ass so he doesn't prey on another victim?
THAT is the question you tried to pose. Not one about some damn store owner and a dude driving away from a gas station unintentionally. The fact of the matter is, a thief puts their victim out. Meals can be missed. Work can be missed. Valuable items can be lost. THAT is the consequence, so yes, drop the mother****er where he stands. Will it deter crime? For him it will.