By Rod Hansen
Staff Writer

Courtesy Photo Goffstown High School senior Laura MacKenzie has been missing since March 8. Police are searching for leads.

A Goffstown teenager who has been missing for more than two weeks was scheduled to appear in court on a felony shoplifting charge the day of her dissappearance, according to court records.

Laura MacKenzie, 18, of Tipping Rock Road, Goffstown, was scheduled to appear on March 8 in Manchester District Court on a felony shoplifting charge involving the alleged theft of $956.91 in clothing and jewelry from the Filene’s at the Mall of New Hampshire on Feb. 15.

A warrant was issued for MacKenzie’s arrest for failure to appear that day. That warrant was withdrawn on March 22, when the case was indicted to the Northern District of Hillsborough County Superior Court in Manchester.

The case does not appear to be a kidnapping, Goffstown Police Capt. Glenn DuBois said. MacKenzie was reportedly going to take her car for an oil change prior to her disappearance, DuBois said. Because MacKenzie is over the age of 18, she is considered a missing person rather than a runaway, DuBois said.

“It appears she took off on her own volition,” DuBois said, adding that police have found no signs of foul play in the disappearance.

MacKenzie’s car, a 1995 black four-door Volkswagen Golf with the New Hampshire License plate number 211 0126, has been entered into a law enforcement database, DuBois said.

Anyone with information about Laura MacKenzie is encouraged to call the Goffstown Police Department at 603-497-4858 or e-mail edinmack@yahoo.com. Details are also available at www.findlaura.org.

A flier about MacKenzie’s disappearance has also been posted throughout the area, and a meeting of prayer and support was scheduled for Tuesday, March 21, at the First Baptist Church of Amherst.