Opinions on ways to do this, other than maxing skullduggery or coordination?

Move or Manipulate Force Power

Mechanics, Athletics, Cool, Education, Resilience.

a combination of different skills in a series of checks

If you're going for more of a magician-type character, Misdirect Force Power (and an assistant with lots of Distracting Behavior).

I would use an Entertainer spec and base him off of Yen in Ocean's Eleven.