A robbery has gone wrong — very wrong — for a thief who ended up dead after being abandoned by his accomplice in a doubly low act near Frankston.

Police believe the man fell and hit his head as he ran to try to steal the victim’s car after the pair violently robbed the Indian Mahal restaurant in Baxter on Saturday night.

The thieves had minutes earlier attacked a restaurant worker and bitten his thumb.

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It’s believed they tried to steal the victim’s car but before they could, one of the men slipped.

He died on the footpath, as his accomplice took off down Frankston-Flinders Rd, about 11.20pm.

Victoria Police spokeswoman Belinda Batty said the investigation continued into the bizarre incident which occurred when the victim was closing the shop.

“The pair demanded the victim’s belongings before a scuffle ensued, with the victim assaulted and bitten,” Ms Batty said.

“The offenders then ran towards a vehicle parked nearby, however one is believed to have fallen and died at the scene.

“The exact cause of his death is yet to be established, however is not being treated as suspicious.

“The victim of the robbery has been taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

“The second offender fled the scene.”

andrea.hamblin@news.com.au