Does anyone know if the stealth warrior perk can be used to pickpocket items from people when you are in direct combat with them?

That's pickpocket. Shadow warrior allows you to slit someone's throat immedietely if they are close to you (Despite being detected), but you have to time it right and be at the right distance.

I have never taken the Shadow Warrior perk. But IIRC you cannot pickpocket someone while they are in combat mode,as the description says,"Crouching stops combat for a moment and forces distant opponents to search for a target"...if they are searching for a target,are they in combat mode ?