JeffO, "I think I soiled me armor..." Too funny.
Whenever possible, nearly always in fact, I drive my wife directly to the door of wherever we're going then go park the car. I do the reverse on the way out, retrieving the car and meeting her at the door(Malls, restaurant's, etc..) While she may be briefly without me inside the building there are usually others there and the likelihood of trouble is diminished. She is attuned to her surroundings as well which enhances her security.
I do this for a few reasons. I believe it's safer for her, first and foremost, as it removes the rape/abduction issue from a robbery scenario and it allows me to worry only about whether or not I have the option to run or have to take a butt kicking to defend myself. Under no circumstances would I run with her at my side. That ultimately leaves her alone and that is not an option under any circumstance.
Given the criteria here I would likely hand him some money, which in fact I rarely carry aside from a few dollars, and stay or run depending on the sense I had of how the rest would go down. They leave, and there are no problems concerning self defense, only one of being a good witness. If my sense is they wish to keep me from being a witness then I would do all that was necessary to win.
If my wife is with me under these circumstances, the dynamics would change and my first priority would be neither the money, nor wondering if I will take a butt kicking, but getting her safely out of the way if there is any sense they have any interest in her.
If there is a sense they are out to hurt her then we WILL have an unfettered, uncivilized, intensely personal rendition of whatever it takes to win their hearts and minds, if not their bodies.
Chris..