Arrest brings unwanted attention to Puka Nacua’s family

Los Angeles Rams star Puka Nacua is not involved, but his family name surfaced in an unexpected way this week.

Samson Nacua, Puka’s older brother, was arrested in West Hollywood after being accused of taking a Los Angeles Lakers player’s vehicle without consent, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities say the alleged incident involved a BMW SUV owned by Lakers forward Adou Thiero. Deputies were flagged down on Sunset Boulevard after the vehicle was reported stolen and later tracked to the location by the owner.

According to law enforcement, Samson Nacua and another 27-year-old suspect, Trey Rose, were taken into custody. Investigators allege Nacua took the vehicle from a Wilshire-area location, while Rose was driving when deputies made contact. Both were arrested on suspicion of unlawfully taking a vehicle, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Another troubling moment in a rough year for Nacua

The arrest adds to an already difficult year for Samson Nacua, who has found himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons more than once in 2025.

Earlier this spring, Nacua was suspended by the UFL after video surfaced of him slapping a fan following a game while playing for the Michigan Panthers. The league issued a one-game suspension without pay and required him to participate in community service.

While Samson once showed promise as a college receiver at Utah and later BYU, his professional career has been turbulent. He spent time with multiple NFL organizations without sticking and has bounced between spring football teams in recent seasons.

The situation stands in sharp contrast to Puka Nacua’s rapid ascent in Los Angeles, where he has emerged as one of the NFL’s brightest young stars. While the Rams receiver has become a household name for his production on the field, this latest incident shows how differently the two brothers’ paths have unfolded.

As authorities continue to investigate, the focus remains on Samson Nacua’s actions and what comes next in a year that has already featured multiple setbacks.

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