"Sorry, maam, but I can't just let you go. You'll be compensated for your time, or at least you won't be arrested or beaten."
"Heh, heh, sorry that's just a bit of humor. You see, he just implied that normally we'd arrest you and -"
"They know that! Anyways, we can just ask them here if you want, and bring the halfling with us."
The two soldiers start asking questions rapidly.
"How did you know she was a pickpocket?" "What sparked this mob? What were you doing at the time?" "Was there anyone else you noticed behaving suspiciously, before, during or after the riot?" "When did this riot start, what was your role in the fighting?" "Did you steal anything while the fight was going on or notice anyone else trying to steal anything? Er, besides her, of course."
The two halfling siblings skirt around the block and spy the elf and dwarf talking to two armed skuttlehats. The swords in their scabbards look fairly average, and their uniforms indicate that they've been here for... a long while, they may have even been part of the group that torched the walls. However, their faces look innocent, if such a thing can be said of West Empire soldiers.
You spot them handing an older halfling lady to the two soldiers during the exchange. The soldiers tie the lady's wrists together and then take a number of small loose objects from her hands; looks like a few wallets, a purse, some loose change, at least from here. Here being behind a wagon near the Hog's Brew. You can also see there's someone being hauled away by some skuttlehats that look a lot less kindly, and they're heading in your general direction. The guy being carried looks like a very well off gentleman, with scarlet and violet garb with all that frilly stuff and jewelry that sparkles. He's still trying to rant and point at your elven companion, but the skuttlehats aren't listening to him.