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Puka Nacua’s Brother Charged with Stealing Los Angeles Lakers Rookie’s Car: Report

Puka Nacua; Samson Nacua.

Samson Nacua, the brother of Los Angeles Rams' player Puka Nacua, was arrested for allegedly taking a Lakers player's car without consent

Samson and a man named Trey Rose were arrested near the One Hotel in West Hollywood on Dec. 13

Samson signed a contract with the New Orleans Saints in 2024, but was waived just weeks later

The brother of Los Angeles Rams star Puka Nacua was arrested for allegedly taking a Lakers player's car without permission.

According to records from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Samson Nacua was arrested in West Hollywood on Saturday, Dec. 13, and booked on a felony charge.

Police responded to a call at the One Hotel on Sunset Blvd. after the vehicle, owned by Lakers forward Adou Thiero, was tracked to the location, according to NBC4, citing the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Nacua, 27, and another man named Trey Rose had given the car to a hotel valet and entered the establishment, per the outlet.

Washington's (15) Puka Nacua (WR) and older brother Utah's (45) Samson Nacua (WR) laugh with each other while doing an interview after the college football game between the Washington Huskies and the Utah Utes on November 02, 2019,

Washington's (15) Puka Nacua (WR) and older brother Utah's (45) Samson Nacua (WR) laugh with each other while doing an interview after the college football game between the Washington Huskies and the Utah Utes on November 02, 2019,

Police identified the NFL player's brother and Rose using security footage and arrested them on suspicion of stealing the vehicle.

It remains unclear how Nacua and Rose were able to take possession of the car and what their relationship is to Thiero.

Samson played football for Brigham Young University. On Aug. 2, 2024, he signed a contract with the New Orleans Saints, but was waived on weeks later on Aug. 24.

Puka, 24, has been on the receiving end of backlash recently, in addition to becoming one of the NFL's most exciting young receivers.

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On a livestream with streamers Adin Ross and N3on, Puka slammed NFL referees and accused some of them of making calls in games just to get on television.

"The refs are the worst," he said. "These guys are lawyers. They want to be on TV too. You don't think he's texting his friends in the group chat like, 'Yo, you guys just saw me on Sunday Night Football. That wasn't P.I., but I called it.'"

On Dec. 9, Puka faced backlash when he was live-streaming in the Rams locker room after teammates told him not to continue.

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