Vanilla Ice Says Burglary Charges Were Blown Out Of Proportion

Rapper Vanilla Ice, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, is out on bail and he is calling his burglary arrest a big misunderstanding.

Van Winkle was arrested in Florida earlier this week and was charged with home burglary and grand theft. According to CNN, the Lantana Police Department said the burglary occurred at some point between December, 2014, and February, 2015, at a million dollar home that was being foreclosed on. The home was located near a house that Van Winkle was renovating and planning on selling.

“During the investigation, it was determined Robert Matthew Van Winkle played a role in the burglary and theft,” said police.

“A search warrant was obtained and executed in unincorporated Palm Beach County in which several of the stolen items were recovered at a residence under the care and control of Robert Van Winkle.”

Vanilla Ice was booked in the Palm Beach County Jail and was released on Wednesday, February 18, on a $6,000 bond. As he was leaving the jail, Van Winkle spoke to reporters, explaining that the whole thing was blown out of proportion.

“It’s a misunderstanding, it was blown out of proportion. It’s sad that good news doesn’t travel this fast. It’s just out of proportion and I wish you guys would focus on all the good things I’ve done.”

There has been speculation that the incident occurred as part of his show The Vanilla Ice Project, but Van Winkle says that was not the case.

“I wish it was. There’s nothing fun about this. I wish everybody all the best, and maybe some of the good news will travel this fast in the future. It’ll all get cleared up, you’ll see.”

The real estate broker of the home said that the whole situation has been a hassle more than anything, but he isn’t angry, according to NBC 6 South Florida.

“Whoever it is, why would you jeopardize going to jail for basically junk? It was just worthless furniture and some items so it doesn’t make much sense,” Jim Lovely told reporters. “The house wasn’t full of Picassos, so it wasn’t a high-dollar heist, so it’s just the principal [sic] of having to secure the place two and three times.”

The DIY Network released a statement regarding Van Winkle’s charges, and said that they would be looking into it. “DIY Network has been made aware of this situation and is currently looking into the matter,” the statement read.

Do you think Vanilla Ice is telling the truth and that the whole thing was a “misunderstanding?” Leave your comments below.

[Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images]