‘Secret squirrel’ throws a gutter ball

Hillsboro Police Chief Jesse Hiebert told dispatchers Tuesday morning that he would not be on the radio for a time because he had a “secret squirrel” assignment.

The assignment turned out to be a bust.

Hiebert went to Bluejay Lanes in Hillsboro hoping to get bowling pins the bowling alley was giving away because its pins are being replaced.

Bluejay Lanes was taken over by Hillsboro’s recreation commission May 13.

Assistant Police Chief Randy Brazil said the department had hoped to use the pins at its shooting range, where officers qualify to get or maintain officers’ credentials.