Otay Mesa

Twelve Mexican nationals from the state of Pueblo trying to cross the border illegally were robbed Monday morning by armed bandits. The one woman in the group was raped by two of the bandits, police said.

The 12 were crossing Otay River near the U.S. Customs pistol range about 4 a.m. when they were accosted by six bandits carrying a shotgun, a pistol and several knives, police spokesman Bill Robinson said. They were robbed of $262, he said.

When a Border Patrol helicopter making a routine search appeared overhead, the two groups scattered and the assailants fled. The victims were rounded up and questioned, then turned over to the Border Patrol for deportation, Robinson said.