Summary (tl;dr)

Samson Nacua, brother of Los Angeles Rams star Puka Nacua, has been arrested in West Hollywood for allegedly stealing an SUV belonging to Los Angeles Lakers forward Adou Thiero. He and another suspect, Trey Rose, are currently in custody facing charges of taking a vehicle without the owner's consent.

Essential Background

Samson Nacua is a professional wide receiver who has played in the United Football League (UFL) for the Michigan Panthers and had brief stints with NFL practice squads, including the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints. He previously garnered headlines for an on-field altercation in which he was suspended for slapping a fan during a UFL game earlier this year. His younger brother, Puka Nacua, is a prominent wide receiver for the NFL's Los Angeles Rams. Adou Thiero is a rookie forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, having been drafted 55th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.

The Full Story

Los Angeles Lakers forward Adou Thiero's SUV was reported stolen earlier this week. Authorities successfully tracked the vehicle to the One Hotel in West Hollywood, California. Upon locating the SUV, which had been valeted at the hotel, deputies reviewed security footage that led to the identification and subsequent arrest of two suspects inside the hotel. The individuals arrested were identified as 27-year-old Samson Nacua and 27-year-old Trey Rose. Both men have been charged on suspicion of taking a vehicle without the owner's consent and remain in custody as the investigation continues.

Why It Matters

This incident has drawn significant public and media attention due to the involvement of individuals connected to two major professional sports leagues in Los Angeles: the NFL and the NBA. The arrest of Samson Nacua, the brother of a rising NFL star, for allegedly stealing a car belonging to a Los Angeles Lakers rookie, creates an unfortunate intersection of high-profile sports figures and legal trouble. The ongoing investigation and the charges faced by Nacua add a layer of unwanted negative publicity for both the Nacua family and, by extension, the sports organizations involved.

Geographic Location

• One Hotel, West Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California, United States (location where stolen SUV was tracked and suspects were arrested)