FOR THE SECOND TIME IN RECENT DAYS, TWO VIRGINIA MEN HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION INTO NUMEROUS CATALYTIC CONVERT THEFTS IN THE TRI CITI CITIES. JOHNSON CITY AUTHORITIES 31 YEAR OLD WILLIAM NICKENS OF DUFFIELD VIRGINIA AND 34 YEAR OLD RAY STARNES OF BLACKMORE VIRGINIA ARE ACCUSED OF NUMEROUS THEFTS FROM SEPTEMBER 25TH TO OCTOBER 9TH AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN JOHNSON CITY. THE THEFTS TARGETED TOYOTAS. NICKENS AND STARNES WERE ARRESTED BY KINGSPORT POLICE JUST DAYS BEFORE FOR THE SAME CRIMES. KINGSPORT DETECTIVES NOTIFIED JOHNSON CITY INVESTIGATORS WHO HAD BEEN LOOKIN FOR THE SUSPECTS IN THE RASH OF CONVERTER THEFTS. JC POLICED HAVE CHARGED THE PAIR WITH SEVEN COUNTS OF THEFT OF PROPERTY OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS.BOTH ARE BEING HELD IN THE WASHINGTON COUNTY DETENTION CENTER UNDER BOND OF 70-THOUSAND DOLLARS. NICKENS AND STARNES WILL APPEAR IN WASHINGTON COUNTY GENERAL SESSIONS COURT TO BE ARRAIGNED SOON.