RE: Swap Meet thief.
Oh yeah, he's got it down! Wait for a vendor to be distracted at the other end of the tables then make his move. This is why it really helps to have at least a second person helping out at the tables at all times. When I've just tried to unload stuff at the local swap meet, I have at least my son there (he's 25 and a big boy) to watch over my goodies while we take turns browsing to see what others have or help people at neighboring tables while they do the same or need to take a potty or smoke break.