At a Glance
- Samson Nacua, 27, and Trey Rose, 27, were arrested after allegedly taking Adou Thiero’s SUV without permission
- Investigators now believe Nacua mistook the Lakers forward’s vehicle for his brother Puka Nacua’s identical model
- Both athletes own the same make, color and year-range SUV, parked at the same West Hollywood location
- Why it matters: Case highlights how easily vehicle mix-ups can escalate into criminal charges
A case of mistaken identity led to the arrest of Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua‘s brother after he allegedly drove off in Los Angeles Lakers forward Adou Thiero‘s SUV, thinking it was his sibling’s vehicle, according to the LA County Sheriff’s Department.
The Mix-Up
Samson Nacua, 27, and passenger Trey Rose, also 27, were taken into custody last month after deputies tracked Thiero’s missing SUV to the One Hotel on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. The vehicle had been reported taken without the owner’s consent.
During the investigation, detectives discovered the confusion stemmed from an honest mistake. Both professional athletes own nearly identical SUVs – same make, color and model year range. The key difference: Puka Nacua’s vehicle is approximately one to two years older than Thiero’s.
Charges Dropped
As investigators pieced together the timeline, several facts emerged:
• Samson Nacua genuinely believed he was retrieving his brother’s vehicle
• Rose told deputies he had no knowledge the car was reported stolen
• Both vehicles were parked in the same area at the same time
• The circumstances of why both SUVs were parked together remain unclear
After interviewing all parties involved, deputies requested the LA County Attorney’s office reject the case. Thiero declined to prosecute, concluding the incident was an honest mistake with no criminal intent.
Case Resolution
The sheriff’s department has since cleared both men. Rose was cleared first as investigators gathered more information about the mix-up. The case serves as a reminder of how similar vehicles can lead to confusion, even among professional athletes who might be expected to notice subtle differences in their personal vehicles.
News Of Losangeles‘s investigation revealed that vehicle identification mix-ups, while rare, can happen when multiple similar cars are parked in the same location. The quick resolution of this case prevented what could have been a lengthy legal process based on a simple misunderstanding.
