Robber dressed in SWAT garb shoots Arlington clerk with BB gun

A 44-year old man dressed in SWAT gear and accused of shooting a clerk at a payday lender in the ankle and stealing cash before fleeing was arrested Thursday afternoon, Arlington police reported.

Matthew Paul Bender of Saginaw was in the Arlington jail Thursday night facing a charge of aggravated robbery. Bail was set at $15,000.

The robbery occurred at Texas Car Title & Payday Loan.

Bender walked into the business in the 1100 block of East Pioneer Parkway at 1:30 p.m. wearing a “raid-style” vest that read “SWAT” on the back, according to an Arlington police news release. He also wore pants that military and SWAT officers wear, police said.

Witnesses described the robber’s gun as an “assault style rifle,” which he fired several times before an employee was hit in the ankle, police said.

Police learned later that the “rifle” was an Airsoft BB gun and that Bender had a real handgun tucked into his waistband, the news release said.

After grabbing cash, he drove away. A witness gave a description of his vehicle, and patrol officers stopped the vehicle at Collins Street and Park Row Drive.

The clerk was treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Bender’s booking photo was not released Thursday for “possible future photo lineups,” the news release said.

Tactical clothing, a handgun, an Airsoft BB gun and stolen cash were recovered.

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 6:49 PM with the headline "Robber dressed in SWAT garb shoots Arlington clerk with BB gun."