Puka Nacua's brother arrested, accused of taking Lakers rookie's SUV

Field Level Media|published: Thu 18th December, 13:12 2025

Panthers’ Samson Nacua (86) celebrates as he scores a touchdown during the UFL game between the Memphis Showboats and Michigan Panthers at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn., on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

A brother of Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua was one of two men arrested over the weekend for allegedly stealing a vehicle that reportedly belonged to Los Angeles Lakers rookie forward Adou Thiero.

Samson Nacua and Trey Rose, both 27, were arrested Saturday afternoon by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for taking a vehicle without the owner's permission.

Per a statement to NBC4 Los Angeles, deputies were able to track the SUV to the 8400 block of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, Calif. The suspects had valeted the car and entered a hotel.

Samson Nacua spent time in training camp with both the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 and New Orleans Saints in 2024 but has yet to appear in an NFL game. He was suspended for one game by the UFL in April for slapping a fan during an altercation.

Samson Nacua played college football at Utah (2017-20) and BYU (2021), catching 103 passes for 1,344 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Thiero, 21, was part of the blockbuster seven-team trade on July 6 that sent star forward Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets.

A second-round draft pick of the Brooklyn Nets this past June, Thiero is averaging 1.1 points and 5.8 minutes in nine games this season.

--Field Level Media