Puka Nacua car collection: One new car gift, one BMW arrest, and why his name keeps coming up

Puka Nacua’s name has quietly stayed in the headlines for reasons that have nothing to do with routes, receptions, or yards after the catch.In May 2024, the Los Angeles Rams wide receiver was praised for a personal moment that went viral. In December 2025, his last name resurfaced again, this time tied to an alleged vehicle theft involving his brother. The contrast is sharp, and the timing matters.Here is what actually happened, in order.In May 2024, the Los Angeles Rams released footage of Puka Nacua surprising his mother with a new car. The video appeared in the first episode of the team’s series “Behind The Grind” and was reported by USA TODAY Sports.The moment mattered because of the history behind it. Nacua was raised by his mother after his father died in 2012 at age 45. She had not owned a new car in more than a decade.What made the gift emotional was that it mirrored something his father once did.“I’m so excited they had a bow,” Nacua said. “My dad bought my mom a car when we were little. It was parked in our neighbor’s driveway with the big red bow and I remember my mom coming, like, ‘Man, did you guys see the new car?’ Then the next time my mom came outside, my dad reversed it and it was parked in our driveway, and that was the show of her new car.”The Rams shared the footage. Fans reacted quickly. Teammates praised him. The story painted Nacua as grounded and family driven. That story is now more than a year old.In December 2025, ESPN and NBC4 Los Angeles reported that Samson Nacua, the brother of Puka Nacua, was arrested alongside Trey Rose over the alleged theft of a vehicle.According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the vehicle was a newer model BMW reportedly belonging to Los Angeles Lakers forward Adou Thiero. Deputies tracked the car to the 8400 block of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. NBC4 Los Angeles first reported the arrest.Authorities said the suspects had valeted the vehicle at a hotel and were later identified using security footage. Both men were arrested Saturday afternoon.Later that night, Samson Nacua and Rose were released under California Penal Code Section 849(b), meaning there were insufficient grounds at the time to file a complaint. The sheriff’s department said the investigation remains ongoing.It was not immediately clear whether either man had legal representation. Puka Nacua was not accused of wrongdoing and was not named as a suspect in the case.