Not sure if this is intended. But when i steal from people while hidden (NOT pickpocket), when i come into their vision they immediately become hostile. Even though I was "Hidden" while taking the object, they still go hostile when i finally come into their FOV. I even sent my follower home and tested it solo to see if the follower would cause a bug, but they still attacked.

If this is working as intended, whats the point of stealing?

It must be a bug as I've stolen from the farm house with my dog watching and the farmers are still friendly to me.

Okay good, then it may just be a bug. It happens at the Mother/Son diner. They become hostile whether they see you take anything or not.