Vanilla Ice held on theft charge

The former rapper was charged under his real name of Robert Van Winkle

The 47-year-old former rapper was released from custody in Florida on Wednesday evening (Getty Images)

Vanilla Ice has insisted that his arrest this week in connection with a burglary was all just “a misunderstanding”.

The 47-year-old former rapper, real name Robert Van Winkle, was released from custody in Florida on Wednesday evening, after being charged with stealing several items from an abandoned home.

As he left the Palm Beach County Jail on $6,000 (£3,885) bail, Van Winkle said the situation had simply been “blown out of proportion.” He is still best known for his 1990 hit single “Ice Ice Baby”, but since 2010 he has hosted a home renovation reality show,The Vanilla Ice Project, on the DIY Network.

Police in Lantana say he and his crew have been renovating a house for the programme close to a $1m (£650,000) home facing foreclosure.

Between December and February several items including a pool heater, bicycles and furniture were stolen. Some of the items were subsequently recovered from Van Winkle’s home in Palm Beach County. He was charged with burglary and grand theft and the items were returned.