Yes, I realize it is "only" property. I also realize in my state you cannot use deadly force to protect property. However, having been the victim of theft several times I have an absolute raging hatred for thieves. If that makes me a bad person, I don't care, I'm ok with that.
If they are anything like the thieves in Houston, I would keep driving. If you back up to check on your handiwork, you are likely to be shot by his buddy.
You can use deadly force to protect property in Texas, but you should be ready for a fight if you do so because the cat thieves are armed and dangerous here. They work in crews and use armed lookouts. One off-duty deputy in Houston was killed trying to stop the theft of his own catalytic converter, and another off-duty was wounded when he tried to stop a theft in a parking lot when he was on a side job. Both within days of each other.
If I saw one under my truck, I think the first thing I would do is move to cover and look for his buddies. And as much as I believe in using deadly force to protect property, I’m not sure I’m interested in a firefight with multiple armed opponents with nothing but my carry piece.
They used to shoot horse thieves. From what I understood, stealing a person‘s horse was the equivalent of killing their entire family because that horse was a means for the family to take care of themselves. Car thieves, and losers who think that they can just steal stuff from other people because they’re too stupid to earn it for themselves, should be treated the same way.