A businessman was chopped by men who robbed him of cash and cellphones on Friday.

Joseph Ali, 40, was walking to his vehicle in a carpark on Mucurapo Street, San Fernando, when he was ambushed around 8.40 p.m.

Ali, owner of Joselle's Variety Store and Video Club, said: "I had just locked up my business and was walking to the car when a man jumped out from behind another vehicle in the parking lot. I started to fight the man and his accomplice came out with the cutlass."

The men, dressed in dark coloured clothing, robbed Ali of $9,000 and two cellphones. He was then beaten with the cutlass about the body.

Ali, of Ridgewood Gardens, Golconda, was also chopped on the left leg, arm and ear.

"A neighbour heard the commotion and called the police. She looked through the window and shouted that the police were coming and that was when the men ran away," he said.

Ali was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital, where he was treated and discharged yesterday.

"I opened this business nine years ago and never experienced something like this," he said.

PC Pulchan of the San Fernando Police Station is continuing investigations.

Search continues for relative of slain truck driver

In an unrelated matter, homicide detectives are continuing in Mvestigations into the death of father of five, Shayamshook Praimchand, who was found dead near his home on Wednesday.

The search continued yesterday for a relative, who went into hiding after the incident.

Praimchand, 54, was found dead near the roadside at Dalloo Road, Gasparillo. He lived a short distance away at Pheekoo Avenue.

Praimchand, a truck driver, was identified by his daughter, Sunita Mohammed.

An autopsy found that he was beaten to death – his ribs were broken and lungs torn.

Investigators said Praimchand was involved in a domestic dispute.