A former B.C. Lions wide receiver is a threat to the community, Vancouver police said on Thursday.
Const. Lindsey Houghton said investigators felt it was necessary to issue the rare public warning after Joshua Joseph Boden was released on bail.
“The reason we’re saying that we believe that he will pose a risk to public safety is the way … he selected and targeted his victims in these two incidents,” Houghton said.
He did not elaborate, adding the investigation is ongoing.
Boden, who currently lives in Surrey, is facing two charges of sexual assault, one of resisting arrest, and one of obstructing a police officer.
The charges relate to two incidents, including one on Labour Day where police officers witnessed a man fondling a woman at Commercial Drive and Broadway Avenue. When they tried to arrest him, the suspect ran away but was taken down after a violent struggle.
While Boden was in jail in relation to that incident, police also charged him for an Aug. 29 incident.
“Investigators were able to put together enough information … to warrant another charge of sexual assault,” Houghton said.
Boden was with the Lions in the 2006-07 season CFL and played one game with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last year.
