Why selling anything in the first place? Just kill the merchant and get the money if you wish.
True, you have a point. But I do hope that the notoriety system is well thought out. There have to be consequences for those actions, or it feels odd.
I do wonder if it is logical to have the merchants have the items on them, and not in the chests - bags or other containers usually standing around them. Perhaps I am nitpicking, but somehow it feels off.