Former BYU wide receiver Samson Nacua, the older brother of Los Angeles Rams star Puka Nacua, has been accused of stealing a car belonging to Los Angeles Lakers rookie Adou Thiero, according to reports.
Samson Nacua, 27, and Trey Rose, 27, were arrested over the weekend at One Hotel in West Hollywood, California, according to [NBC4 Los Angeles](https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/arrests-made-lakers-adou-thiero-suv-stolen/3817945/). They are each charged with one count of taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
Nacua and Rose were arrested after Thiero’s SUV was tracked to One Hotel, where the two suspects had valeted the car and entered the hotel, per NBC4. Deputies reviewed security footage at the hotel and were able to identify and locate the two men soon after arriving at the scene.
It remains unclear when or where the SUV was stolen from, police said.
Samson Nacua, a Provo, Utah, native, played five seasons of college football, including four seasons at Utah from 2017-20 and one season at BYU as teammates with Puka. Samson finished his collegiate career with 103 receptions for 1,344 yards and 14 touchdowns in 58 games for the Utes and Cougars.
After college, Samson played two seasons for the UFL’s Michigan Panthers in 2024 and 2025.
Puka, meanwhile, is one of the NFL’s biggest stars. In two-plus seasons with the Rams, Nacua has 286 catches for 3,843 yards and 15 touchdowns. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in his rookie season in 2023 and finished second in AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting that season. He leads the NFL this season with 66 first downs receiving.