It really is.

He can try, but it's kinda hard since Cobra sticks to the Rocket bases as much as possible :( He usually just takes over some abandoned building when he's elsewhere because really what are these locks for look at how easily Machoke can break them off. :/

Best bets would either be waiting for him to pull something somewhere that isn't Goldenrod, recognizing the voice of the oddly dressed man in the Center/Department Store/around town/etc.