By Reid Forgrave
Enquirer staff writer

OVER-THE-RHINE - An off-duty Hamilton County Sheriff's deputy was arrested in the Main Street bar district early Sunday morning after police said he elbowed a man in the head.

Gregory L. Rabanus, 32, a deputy from Springfield Township, was near 208 East 12th St. around 3 a.m. when he struck a man on the back of the head with his elbow, police said.

An officer who responded to the scene said he told Rabanus to stop, but Rabanus drove away.

He was arrested at 5:30 a.m. at police headquarters, 310 Ezzard Charles Drive, where he turned himself in. Cincinnati Police Sgt. Phillip Buccino said Rabanus was driven to police headquarters by a police lieutenant who contacted him at home.

Rabanus was charged with assault and obstructing official business, both misdemeanors.

The man he allegedly hit was charged with disorderly conduct.

Rabanus is a deputy of more than 10 years, and in 2002 he won a national award for his work as an adviser for Post 660 of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Explorers.

The sheriff's explorer program gives kids a chance to learn about law enforcement careers.

Rabanus was released early Sunday, and he will have a court appearance today, according to jail officials.

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E-mail rforgrave@enquirer.com