A 38-year-old Saugus man tried to make a quick getaway after taking four North Face jackets from Macy's at the South Shore Plaza on Nov. 29, police said.

But a customer witnessed the alleged crime and jotted down the identification number of a car waiting for the suspect, Deputy Chief Russell Jenkins said in a statement.

Nicholas J. Esposito, 38, was later arrested and charged with larceny over $250. Another South Boston man tied to the car was not charged because police did not have enough evidence to connect him with the alleged shoplifting, Jenkins said.

Last Tuesday afternoon, Esposito allegedly grabbed several North Face jackets off a display rack and ran to the car, leaving before police arrived but not before the customer took note of the vehicle. Police later tracked the vehicle to an address in Weymouth, where they found Esposito. He attemped to flee the apartment, Jenkins said, but was taken into custody.

Two men working in the building gave officers information and the jackets were recovered, Jenkins said. Esposito also had the same physical appearance and clothing as the man in surveillance footage. He also had an outstanding warrant for a larceny-related offense, Jenkins said.