With gas prices at or above the $4 mark, many Helenans are surprised that a massive rash of gas thefts has not occurred like in other places across the country.

Some local gas station workers say security cameras have helped thwart possible thefts, while others say it's good old-fashioned observance.

Dave Clemens, owner of Dave's Express Lube and Oil and convenience store on North Montana Avenue, said his gas drive-offs have been minimal. He attributes that in part to the fact that he places pictures of those caught stealing gas on his wall, after jotting down their license plate numbers and reporting them to law enforcement.

Clemens, who has had an extensive camera system for the last three years, said he looks at the surveillance footage after drive-offs and can usually determine intentional thefts. Many of the drive-offs are accidental, he said. Often, employees recognize the driver from the community and either call the person or wait until they return to the store and tell them of their mistake.

One procedure Clemens has put into place to help with this problem is to have clerks ask all customers if they got fuel when they enter the store to make a purchase.

Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Cheryl Liedle said she, too, thought there would be an increase in drive-offs and other theft.

"We really haven't had a problem here. You'd think we'd see more," Liedle said.

So far this year, Helena and Lewis and Clark County saw 76 gas-related thefts -- 10 in January, 23 in February, 13 in March, 12 in April, 8 in May and 10 in June -- according to statistics provided by the Helena Police Department and sheriff's office.

Last year, the area had 235 fuel-related thefts, down from 250 in 2006. In 2005, there were 194 gas-related thefts.

Sandy Waeckerlin, who owns Jolly O's Gas & Go with her husband, Jim, said she too was surprised in the lack of increase.

Waeckerlin said her station has had one recent drive-off, but it was accidental and the person promptly returned to pay for the fuel.

Waeckerlin said she and her employees keep watch over the pumps and if someone is acting suspicious they use binoculars to view the license-plate number, which they write down. She said she often will walk outside to jot down the number to let the person know they are being watched.

"We keep a good eye out on people here," she said.

Besides being cited by law enforcement, another deterrent against gas theft is that a thief's driver's license can be suspended.

Customers are reminded of this with stickers provided by the Montana Petroleum Association picturing a police officer and a warning that gas thieves can lose their licenses for up to a year, depending on the number of offenses.

The first offense comes with a 30-day suspension, while a second theft can reap a six-month suspension.

While Greg Noose, chief of the Records and Driver Control Bureau, said he has not seen any third offenses, people who commit gas theft three times face a year-long suspension of their driver's license

Last year, three drivers' licenses were suspended for gas theft. That was up one from the previous year. The highest number in recent years was 15 in 2005, according to Noose.

To get a license reinstated, the violator must pay $200, he said.

Reporter Angela Brandt: 447-4078 or angela.brandt@helenair.com