© Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
Samson Nacua, the brother of Los Angeles Rams superstar wide receiver Puka Nacua, will not face charges after stealing Lakers rookie Adou Thiero’s SUV in December.
And the reason why is nothing short of baffling.
Nacua and an alleged accomplice Trey Rose were arrested after purportedly stealing Thiero’s SUV. Nacua and the accomplice were found at One Hotel in West Hollywood after the vehicle was tracked to the hotel and suspects had valeted the car.
Deputies then reviewed security footage and identified Nacua and Rose as the suspects and located them soon after, arresting them on suspicion of taking the SUV.
But now neither will face charges.
Samson Nacua Told Investigators He Thought He Was Taking His Brother’s Car
According to a report from ESPN’s Sarah Barshop, Thiero has opted not to press charges after Nacua claimed the theft was the result of miscommunication.
Nacua reportedly told investigators that he believed that the car belonged to his brother Puka’s; who he claimed owns a similar vehicle in model and color to a vehicle owned by Thiero.
“This matter arose from a misunderstanding involving a vehicle and was promptly dismissed after review by the LASD’s Office,” said Samson Nacua’s attorneys Jason Lampert and Michael Goldstein. “The case is now closed.”
If that sounds bizarre to you, you’re not the only one.
“So he thought he was stealing his brother’s car?” one person asked on X.
“So he only stole it because he thought it was his brother’s? How’d he get it started without the keys?” asked another.
Listen, maybe Nacua is telling the truth here. After all, who doesn’t accidentally steal cars thinking they’re someone else’s?
But it’s also notable here that Nacua is likely going to sign a major contract extension this year, while Thiero made around $1.3 million this year before taxes. So there are ways this type of thing may have been settled outside of the legal system.
We’re not saying that’s what happened! However, it’s not the most implausible theory.