Big Island police have charged an 18-year-old Puna man in connection with the investigation of a home invasion robbery at a home in the Hawaiian Acres subdivision in upper Puna on the evening of November 24, 2007. 

Late Monday afternoon, Hilo detectives charged Ama H. Salas with numerous offenses related to the abduction of three adult males and one juvenile female who was sexually assaulted during the ordeal. His charges include first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony and four counts of unlawful imprisonment. Salas is being held at the Hilo police cellblock in lieu of $100,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in South Hilo District Court for his initial court appearance on Tuesday (April 15).

Patrol officers were dispatched to the Puna home on the evening of the incident in response to a report that multiple male suspects entered the home occupied by three men and a female minor. The victims reported that between three and five males, two brandishing firearms, demanded specific property from them. One of the suspects wore a mask. When the victims were unable to produce the property, the suspects forced them out of the house and into one of the victims' vehicles. After driving through the subdivision for a short time in the victim's car with the remaining suspects following in their truck, the female minor was removed from the car. The car driven by one of the suspects continued on with the three male victims still inside. The minor reported to police that at that point she was sexually assaulted by one of the remaining suspects. The male victims were also later released from the car.

The female minor was transported by ambulance to Hilo Medical Center for treatment of injuries she sustained.  None of the remaining victims required immediate medical attention.

The suspects were last seen leaving in a truck in addition to the stolen car described as a white 2000 Chevrolet four-door sedan bearing Hawaii veteran's license plates F317.

---