Samson Nacua Highlights, Videos and Stats

On December 14-15, 2025, Lakers rookie forward Adou Thiero's BMW SUV was taken without his consent. Two men — 27-year-old Trey Rose and 27-year-old Samson Nacua — were arrested by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and charged with taking a vehicle without the owner's consent.

https://www.ballertube.com/video/9449/samson-nacua-wr-6-3-180-4-and-1/ is the older brother of Puka Nacua, the Rams' star wide receiver who exploded onto the NFL scene in 2023 with one of the best rookie seasons in league history.

This story has everything: professional athletes, luxury cars, West Hollywood hotels, sibling drama, and an investigation that reads like a rejected episode of "Entourage."

Let's break down what actually happened — because even after reading the facts, it still doesn't sound real.

Puka Nacua’s brother, Samson Nacua, has been arrested after allegedly stealing Los Angeles Lakers rookie Adou Thiero’s SUV, per @NBCLA

“Two men, including the brother of Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, were arrested over the weekend after allegedly taking Los Angeles Lakers… pic.twitter.com/ua8yOHRKZb

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 18, 2025

What Actually Happened: The Timeline

Location where SUV was taken: Wilshire area of Los Angeles (exact location unclear)

Vehicle: Newer-model BMW SUV belonging to Lakers rookie Adou Thiero

When it was taken: Sometime over the weekend of December 14-15, 2025

How Thiero responded: Tracked his vehicle using built-in GPS/tracking technology (likely BMW's ConnectedDrive or a similar system)

Where it was tracked: The One Hotel in West Hollywood, located in the 8400 block of Sunset Boulevard

What happened next:

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department:

"Deputies were flagged down in the 8400 block of Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, and contacted the victim who stated his newer model BMW was stolen, and he was able to track it to that location."

The audacity: Samson Nacua and Trey Rose allegedly drove the stolen BMW to the One Hotel — a luxury boutique hotel in West Hollywood — and valeted it.

They didn't hide the car. They didn't abandon it in a parking lot. They pulled up to a five-star hotel and handed the keys to a valet like they were checking in for the weekend.

How they got caught:

Deputies reviewed security camera footage from the hotel and identified both suspects. The footage showed them arriving in the BMW and entering the hotel.

Police located Nacua and Rose shortly after reviewing the footage and arrested them both.

The charges:

Both men were arrested on suspicion of "taking a vehicle without the owner's consent" — which is California Penal Code 10851, a charge that can be filed as either a misdemeanor or felony depending on circumstances.

As of Wednesday evening (December 18), both suspects remain in custody.

The investigation continues:

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department stated: "The investigation is currently active and ongoing."

Translation: There may be more to this story than what's currently known.

Who Is Adou Thiero? The Lakers Rookie Caught In This Mess

Adou Thiero is a 21-year-old rookie forward for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Background:

• Born: September 17, 2003
• Height: 6'8"
• Position: Forward
• College: Arkansas (transferred from Kentucky)
• Draft: Selected 42nd overall in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Lakers

College career:

Thiero spent two seasons at Kentucky (2022-2024) before transferring to Arkansas for the 2024-25 season. At Arkansas, he averaged 16.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game — solid numbers that caught NBA scouts' attention.

Lakers rookie season:

Thiero signed a two-way contract with the Lakers after being drafted 42nd overall. His rookie season has been challenging:

• Began the season with a knee injury that sidelined him
• Recently started getting rotation minutes
• Playing limited minutes off the bench as he develops

Current salary: As a two-way contract player, Thiero earns approximately $559,782 for the 2024-25 season when on the NBA roster (with additional South Bay Lakers G-League salary when assigned there).

For a rookie on a two-way deal, owning a newer-model BMW SUV (which can cost $60K-100K+) is a significant purchase — and now a vehicle he had to track down using GPS after it was allegedly stolen.

Who Is Samson Nacua? The Suspect Who's Puka's Brother

Samson Nacua is the 27-year-old older brother of Rams star Puka Nacua.

Football career:

College:

• Played at Utah (2016-2020): 82 receptions, 1,015 yards, 11 TDs in 45 games
• Transferred to BYU for 2021 season (following in younger brother Puka's footsteps)

Professional:

• Signed with Indianapolis Colts (training camp, cut)
• Signed with New Orleans Saints (training camp, cut)
• Currently plays for Michigan Panthers (UFL - United Football League)

Unlike his superstar younger brother, Samson never stuck in the NFL. He's been playing in the UFL, the spring football league formed from the merger of the USFL and XFL.

Previous legal/conduct issues:

In April 2025, Samson made headlines when he was suspended by the UFL for slapping a fan in the face following a loss.

Video went viral showing Samson — playing for the Michigan Panthers at the time — climbing into the stands at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis and slapping a Battlehawks fan.

The UFL suspended him for one game without pay and ordered him to complete community service.

So this isn't Samson's first time making news for the wrong reasons.

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Rams star WR Puka Nacua’s brother was ARRESTED for allegedly stealing Lakers rookie Adou Thiero's SUV without his consent.

Samson Nacua is a former NFL player.

The Nacua family had a terrible week… pic.twitter.com/L8MU6IxSKT

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 18, 2025

Who Is Puka Nacua? The Rams Star Whose Brother Got Arrested

Puka Nacua is a 23-year-old Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams and one of the NFL's brightest young stars.

2023 Rookie Season (Historic):

• 105 receptions (NFL rookie record)
• 1,486 receiving yards (NFL rookie record)
• 6 TDs
• Pro Bowl selection
• NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year runner-up

2024 Season:

• Suffered knee injury early in season
• Still producing when healthy
• Considered one of the best young receivers in the NFL

Puka grew up in Provo, Utah, as part of a large Polynesian family with multiple brothers who played football. He attended BYU before being drafted by the Rams in the 5th round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

His meteoric rise from 5th-round pick to NFL star made him one of the league's most beloved young players.

Until this week.

The Timing Is Terrible: Puka's Rough Week

Samson's arrest comes during what's already been a rough week for Puka Nacua.

Earlier this week, Puka made headlines when he went on a Twitch livestream and said he believes some NFL referees make controversial calls just to get shown on TV during games.

Quote: "I feel like some of them just do it to be on camera... like they want the attention."

The comments went viral and drew criticism from media, fans, and likely the NFL office. Refs are already under intense scrutiny, and a star player publicly questioning their motives adds fuel to that fire.

Now, just days later, his older brother is arrested for allegedly stealing a Lakers player's car.

Puka hasn't publicly commented on his brother's arrest as of Wednesday evening.

The West Hollywood Hotel Detail Makes This Even Stranger

The fact that the suspects allegedly drove the stolen BMW to the One Hotel in West Hollywood and valeted it is perhaps the wildest detail of this story.

The One Hotel West Hollywood:

• Luxury boutique hotel on Sunset Boulevard
• Rooms start at $400-600+ per night
• Frequented by celebrities, athletes, entertainment industry people
• Known for its rooftop pool and trendy restaurant/bar

This isn't some random parking lot. This isn't a chop shop. This is a five-star hotel where you hand your keys to a valet attendant.

The audacity required to:

1. Take someone's BMW without permission
2. Drive it to a luxury hotel
3. Valet park it like you own it
4. Walk into the hotel like everything's normal

...is genuinely shocking.

Either the suspects didn't realize the car had GPS tracking (most newer BMWs do), or they genuinely didn't care. Either way, it's one of the boldest moves in recent Los Angeles car theft history.

The Legal Consequences: What "Taking A Vehicle Without Consent" Means

Both Samson Nacua and Trey Rose are charged with California Penal Code 10851: Unlawful Taking or Driving of a Vehicle.

This charge is different from grand theft auto (GTA).

PC 10851 specifics:

• Taking or driving someone's vehicle without permission
• Intent to permanently or temporarily deprive the owner of possession
• Can be charged as misdemeanor (up to 1 year county jail) or felony (up to 3 years state prison)
• Prosecutors decide misdemeanor vs. felony based on prior record and circumstances

Potential penalties if convicted:

• Felony: 16 months to 3 years in state prison
• Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail
• Fines up to $5,000 (felony) or $1,000 (misdemeanor)
• Restitution to victim

Why this might be charged as felony:

• Value of newer BMW SUV ($60K-100K+)
• Premeditated nature (tracking suggests planning)
• Prior conduct issues (Samson's UFL suspension)

However: First-time offenders with good attorneys often get these reduced to misdemeanors with plea deals.

The investigation is ongoing, which suggests prosecutors are still determining what charges to file.

The Big Question: How Did This Happen?

The biggest unanswered question: How did Samson Nacua and Trey Rose get access to Adou Thiero's BMW?

The LASD statement says it was taken from the "Wilshire location" — but doesn't specify if it was:

• Stolen from a parking lot
• Taken from valet
• Accessed with keys somehow
• Broken into and hotwired

Possible scenarios:

1. They knew each other: Maybe Thiero and Samson Nacua knew each other through LA sports/social circles. Maybe keys were borrowed and not returned. Maybe there was a dispute.

2. Random theft: Maybe this was purely opportunistic — saw an expensive car, took it, didn't realize it belonged to a professional athlete.

3. Valet situation: Maybe the car was at a valet, and suspects posed as the owner to retrieve it.

4. Keys were left/stolen: Maybe keys were left in the car or stolen from somewhere.

The fact that the LASD says "taken without consent" rather than "stolen" or "burglarized" suggests there might be more nuance to how they got the vehicle.

What Happens Next

For Samson Nacua and Trey Rose:

• Both remain in custody as of December 18, 2025
• Will face arraignment hearings where charges are formally filed
• Attorneys will be assigned or retained
• Bail may be set (likely $20K-50K range)
• Plea negotiations will likely begin

For Adou Thiero:

• Gets his BMW back (likely already returned)
• May have to testify if case goes to trial
• Can focus on his Lakers career

For Puka Nacua:

• Has to navigate his brother's legal troubles while playing for Rams
• Media will ask him about it
• Family drama becomes public

For the investigation:

• LASD will determine exact circumstances of how car was taken
• May interview Thiero, Nacua, Rose, and witnesses
• Will review all security footage and evidence
• Final charges will be filed based on findings

The Reaction: Sports Fans Can't Believe This Is Real

Social media exploded when news broke:

"This is the most LA story ever. Lakers rookie. Rams star's brother. Stolen BMW. West Hollywood hotel. I can't even."

"They VALETED the stolen car. The audacity is actually impressive."

"Puka Nacua having the worst week ever. Brother gets arrested days after he goes viral for talking about refs on Twitch."

"Adou Thiero is a rookie on a two-way contract and someone stole his BMW SUV. That's probably half his salary."

"Samson Nacua went from slapping a fan in the UFL to allegedly stealing a Lakers player's car. What a year."

The absurdity of the situation — combined with the high-profile name (Puka Nacua) — has made this one of the strangest sports stories of December 2025.

The Bottom Line: Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction

A Lakers rookie tracking his stolen BMW to a luxury hotel where the suspects valeted it.

One of those suspects being the brother of a Rams Pro Bowl receiver.

The same brother who was suspended earlier this year for slapping a fan.

The same Rams receiver who just went viral for controversial comments about NFL refs.

All happening in Los Angeles during the same week.

You genuinely cannot make this up.

This is the kind of story that reminds you that real life is often stranger, messier, and more unbelievable than any Hollywood script.

Adou Thiero gets his car back. Samson Nacua and Trey Rose face serious charges. Puka Nacua has to answer questions about his brother. And the rest of us are left wondering how this even happened.

Welcome to Los Angeles. Where even car thefts involve Pro Bowl wide receivers' families and rookie NBA players.