Raleigh Police Department news release issued late Friday night said that members of the Fugitive Task Force were in the 4700 block of Trademark Drive to serve a warrant on a man wanted in an armed robbery.

Before the suspect could be taken into custody, the release states, he fled behind Southeastern Wholesale Tire, at 4721 Trademark Drive. To avoid capture, the release states, the suspect jumped into Carolina Lake, located directly behind the Southeast Raleigh business.

Officials urged the man to return to shore, but he continued distancing himself from authorities. The man seemed to begin experiencing difficulties and slipped beneath the water's surface.

The Angier Black River Fire Department, along with other fire and EMS agencies, responded to the scene shortly after the man disappeared. Authorities said his body was found and removed from the lake at 9:45 p.m.

The man's identity was not released by Raleigh police officials Friday night pending next-of-kin notification.

The circumstances surrounding the drowning are being investigated by the department's Major Crimes Unit, as is protocol set forth by the department.

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