Two men, including the brother of Los Angeles Rams player Pukka Nakoa, were arrested over the weekend on suspicion of taking a car belonging to Los Angeles Lakers forward Ado Theroux without consent, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies were able to track the vehicle — a newer model BMW — to the One Hotel on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, authorities said. Investigators determined that the suspects parked the vehicle and entered the hotel, where they were later identified using security footage and arrested.
The two men have been identified as Samson Nakoa, 27, a professional footballer who spent time in the United Soccer League, and Trey Rose, also 27. Both were arrested Saturday afternoon on suspicion of illegally taking a vehicle.
NBC4 in Los Angeles He was the first to report News.
Sheriff’s Department jail records show that both men were released later that night under California Penal Code Section 849(b), which allows them to be released if there are insufficient grounds to file a complaint at the time. The ministry said the investigation is still ongoing. It was not immediately clear whether either man had legal representation.
Law enforcement said it is unclear where and when the vehicle was initially taken.
Samson Nacua played college football at Utah and BYU and appeared in training camps with the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints. Earlier this year, he was suspended one game by the UFL after getting into an altercation with a fan following a loss.
The arrest came during a week in which his younger brother, Puka Nakoa, drew attention for comments he made during a live broadcast criticizing NFL referees.