Samson Nacua, the brother of Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua, was one of two men arrested for allegedly taking the SUV of Lakers rookie Adou Thiero without consent.
Samson, who plays for the Michigan Panthers in the UFL, and Trey Rose were arrested over the weekend and charged with taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, according to NBC 4 in Los Angeles.
Nacua and Rose, both 27, are accused of entering the 1 Hotel in West Hollywood, where they valeted the SUV. After reviewing security footage, police identified the suspects, arresting Nacua and Rose soon after.
Police told NBC4 that it was not certain if the car was stolen.
The outlet reports that both men remain behind bars and it’s unclear if either has a lawyer.
Samson Nacua played college football at Utah and BYU before going undrafted by the NFL in 2022. He later signed with the Indianapolis Colts but was cut during training camp.
In 2024, he signed during camp with the New Orleans Saints, but again failed to make the final cut.
Slapping a fan incident
Earlier this year, Nacua was involved in an incident during which he hit a fan in the face. In a game against St. Louis, video showed Nacua talking with a fan in the front row before jumping up and slapping him. He was suspended by the UFL for one game.
Thiero was a second-round pick of the Brooklyn Nets but was traded to the Lakers as part of the massive seven-team Kevin Durant trade, which sent the superstar to the Houston Rockets. Thiero has seen limited playing time in his rookie season, averaging 1.1 points in just nine games.
Samson wasn’t the only member of the Nacua family to get in hot water this week, with his all-pro receiver brother ripping into NFL referees.
Puka Nacua slams NFL refs
Puka Nacua, whose Rams are set to play the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night, went on a controversial rant against NFL referees during a live stream on Tuesday.
Puka was making an appearance on Adin Ross’ live stream when he accused referees of making controversial calls to get time on TV during marquee games.
“The refs are the worst. These guys are lawyers,” Nacua said. “They want to be on TV too, bro.
“You don’t think he’s texting his friends in the group chat like, ‘Yo, you guys just saw me on Sunday Night Football.’ Like, that wasn’t (pass interference), but I called it.’”
Ross said he would pay any NFL fine that Nacua receives over the comments.
Going into Thursday’s game, Puka Nacua has 102 catches for 1,367 receiving yards and has scored nine touchdowns. Over his three-year career, the former fifth-round pick has racked up an average of 93.7 receiving yards per game, which is the current all-time career record.