FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Fayetteville authorities are investigating the theft of 500 pounds of marijuana from the evidence room at the State Highway Patrol office located at 2435 Gillespie Street.

According to Sgt. Everett Clendenin, access was gained through the rear of the office. A door to the evidence room was kicked in.

The State Bureau of Investigation is working with Fayetteville police on the investigation.

The marijuana, which had been in the evidence room about a month after being confiscated during a recent bust on I-95, has an estimated street value of $500,000.

Authorities think the crime was committed sometime Wednesday night or early Thursday.

According to the Highway Patrol, the building is not occupied by officers around-the-clock, but SHP officers come and go throughout the night.