In a startling incident that has linked two major American sports franchises, law enforcement officials in Los Angeles have confirmed the arrest of two men, including the brother of NFL sensation Puka Nacua, in a case involving a vehicle belonging to a Los Angeles Lakers player.
Arrests Made in West Hollywood Hotel
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) took 27-year-old Samson Nacua and 27-year-old Trey Rose into custody on suspicion of taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent. The vehicle in question is an SUV owned by Los Angeles Lakers forward Adou Thiero. Deputies were dispatched to the One Hotel in West Hollywood after the SUV was tracked to that location, a development first reported by NBC4 Investigates.
Authorities revealed that the suspects had valeted the SUV before entering the hotel premises. Security camera footage proved crucial to the investigation, enabling deputies to quickly identify both individuals upon arrival at the scene. The arrests were made swiftly following the identification.
Families of Sports Stars Drawn Into Legal Matter
The case has garnered significant attention due to the high-profile families involved. Samson Nacua is the older brother of Puka Nacua, the record-breaking wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams who is considered one of the NFL's brightest rising stars. The brothers were teammates at Brigham Young University (BYU) during the 2021 college football season.
Samson Nacua himself has pursued a professional football career. He has had stints with NFL teams like the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints, and has also played in the USFL and UFL. Most recently, he played for the Michigan Panthers in the UFL, appearing in nine games and scoring two touchdowns during the last season. Earlier this year, he served a one-game suspension following an on-field altercation with a fan.
The incident also shines an unwelcome spotlight on Lakers player Adou Thiero, whose vehicle was allegedly taken without his permission. Thiero has not made any public statement regarding the matter.
Investigation Continues With Unanswered Questions
As of now, both suspects remain behind bars while the investigation continues. Law enforcement officials have not provided key details, including where or when the SUV was initially taken from its owner. It is also unclear whether either Samson Nacua or Trey Rose has secured legal representation at this early stage.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has not announced a scheduled court date for the suspects nor released further information about the circumstances that led to the alleged incident. The case remains active and under investigation.
