Theft allegation surroudning Laker forward’s SUV was a mistake: LASD

After two men, including the brother of Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, were arrested for allegedly taking LA Lakers forward Adou Thiero’s SUV without his consent last month, investigators now believe the entire ordeal has been a mistake, the LA County Sheriff’s Department told NBC4 Investigates exclusively Thursday.

Samson Nacua, 27 and another man, 27-year-old Trey Rose, were arrested last month after they faced a charge of taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent. The sheriff’s department had said that deputies were able to track down Thiero’s car at the One Hotel on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. 

But deputies later learned that Samson Nacua took Thiero’s car, thinking it was his Puka Nacua’s SUV as the athletes both have the same car model and color. Investigators told NBC4 Investigates that Puka Nacua’s car was about a year or two older than Thiero’s SUV.

It was not immediately clear why the cars belonging to the two professional athletes were parked at the same place and same time. 

Rose, the man who was in the car with Samson Nacua, had also told deputies that he had no idea the car was reported stolen, the LASD said. He was soon cleared as investigators learned more information.

After speaking with everyone involved in the case, deputies requested that the LA County Attorney’s office reject the case. 

Thiero did not want to prosecute Samson Nacua, concluding that the incident was a mistake and Nacua did not have an intent to steal his vehicle.