A LaGrange businessman was hospitalized today, and two former em-ployees were charged with beating him during a robbery at his residence.

Harold Lee, 64, of Caney Creek Road suffered head injuries and was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta early Sunday. A condition report was unavailable this morning, but lawmen said he was in critical condition Sunday night.

Lee, owner of Wing Man chicken wing eatery at North Greenwood and Ashton streets, returned home shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday. As he was getting out of his vehicle, a man wearing a ski mask jumped out from nearby woods and demanded money, Troup County sheriff’s investigator Mike Caldwell said.

Officers said Joseph Jones, 24, of Hammett Road punched Lee in the face and head for several minutes, knocking him on the ground. Jones’ brother, Zachary Marshall, 19, also of Hammett Road, re-mained hidden in the woods, where he acted as the getaway driver, deputies said.

“These guys had both worked for Lee for a while and knew his daily schedule very well,” Caldwell said. “They knew exactly what the victim was doing at all times and had planned this for some time.”

The victim’s wife, who was in the residence, heard the commotion and opened the door. She screamed for the assailant to stop beating her husband.

Lawmen said Jones then took the victim’s wallet and an undisclosed amount of cash and ran into the woods, where he fled in a vehicle with his brother.

Lee’s wife called 911 as her husband lay unconscious on the ground.

After investigating and receiving an anonymous tip, officers went to the suspects’ home, where they found Marshall in a bedroom and Jones hiding in a closet. Deputies also found a ski mask in the residence.

The suspects later led officers to a remote location several miles from Lee’s residence where the victim’s wallet was found a few inches under ground, Caldwell said.

“I don’t see why anyone would go through this for something so small,” Caldwell said.

Deputies still haven’t located the stolen money, but charged Jones and Marshall with robbery by force and aggravated assault.

This case remains under investigation.

Kenneth Thompson can be reached at kethompson@ lagrangenews.com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 228.