RE: Some stuff....
You can take stuff from locked lockers from NCR, VC, or any other places without getting into a blood bath with the local authorities. I assumed everyone already knew this, so I never brought it up, but I guess you never bother to figure it out. I was surprised to see a item collector like you(me too) didn't notice this tiny little thing to get to all those goodies.
This "trick" works best only if you have 2 or more NPCs with you, but it all depends on the situation, like the distance, your sneak skill, lockpick skill, and etc..., so, make your own call.
The distance is usually the most important factor here. If you are very close to the observer, like in NCR police station(with abundent goodies, with at least 2 metal armors and more guns I was able to carry on myself), make sure you have 3 NPCs with you, because that tend to make things easier. Ask your NPCs to follow you at the close range(up close and personal) then move yourself so that your NPCs block you from the observers' direct line of sight. Once they have blocked you at least partially, turn on your sneak skill and pick those locks then loot to your hearts contend. I got the idea to do this from stealing way too many times. I figured that if you get a bonus to steal(and sneak) something from someone if you are not in the direct line of sight from the person, then you should be able to do it with other things as well. I was even able to use this trick to pick the lock on the desk DIRECTLY in FRONT of Stark in VC cop station, and take what was inside. I also have find out that if you have low lockpick skills, you can try to "Steal" stuff from locked drawers or tables, but it may not always work for some reason. It won't work on lockers.
Happy Looting, and don't hoard too much items.
Oops, before I forget, here is a general recommendation I give to people on selling:
You should only sell something to the merchants if they already have it in their wares, so the game will then count them as part of the stock, and it'll stop the game from creating new item files. The only exception I make is that if nobody carries this junk around, but it's worth something, I'll trade it in a place where there is the least amount of junk in the map, and I would always go back to the same guy if I get that item again.
Just wanted to throw that out for your "perfec" collection.
Starseeker, signing off.
"The final price of freedom, is the willingness to face the most frightening being of all, one's own self."