So we can agree this incident/meeting happened in 1988
1) "Told me where he was staying, and I know the owner personally" fine. I suggest you ask the owner (record keeping of hotel guest book has to cover the past 30 years) so give your hotel friend a call and get a name.
2) A Google does not suggest Poplin 'type' raincoats US/Canada/brogue shoes were the norm in 1988
Therefore my conclusion is.
1) This gentleman was a distraction thief, did you do a stock take after his visit?
2) A wind up of people on here.
I rest my case.
Daz