Man Slain During Holdup Near Border

SAN YSIDRO — A 25-year-old Mexican national was stabbed to death Friday near the San Ysidro port of entry, apparently after struggling with two knife-wielding robbers.

The body of Alejandro Martel-Silvestre was found in the border area known as East High Point, which is about a half-mile east of the port of entry and a half-mile north of the border, a coroner spokeswoman said.

Witnesses told police that the dead man and two companions were crossing the border when they were confronted by two men armed with knives. Martel-Silvestre handed over his money and began to scuffle with the robbers before being stabbed in the chest, the spokeswoman said.