Man drowns in NJ lake after running from cops investigating Wawa theft

WOODBURY — A 20-year-old man drowned Saturday morning after fleeing police investigating a reported shoplifting at a Wawa, authorities said.

The young man's body was recovered 10:30 a.m. from a lake between North Broad Street and Evergreen Avenue, prosecutors said.

Authorities say the accidental drowning victim was the same man who had run from police. Police say they tried to stop and speak to him about 3:50 a.m.

The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office said the man, whose name they did not release, went into the lake behind the Carriage House Apartments on Evergreen Avenue and refused police orders to come out.

Police say he then swam under the Evergreen Avenue bridge.

A fire boat was involved in searching for the man before the State Police dive team was brought in.