US rapper Vanilla Ice takes plea deal in burglary case
AFP
April 3, 2015 11:00 MYT
April 3, 2015 11:00 MYT
A file picture taken on June 4, 2012, rapper Robert Van Winkle aka "Vanilla Ice" arrives at Premiere of Columbia Pictures "That's My Boy" in Los Angeles, California. - AFP Photo/Valerie Macon
Rap artist Vanilla Ice has accepted a plea deal in a Florida home burglary case, agreeing to serve 100 hours of community service to have his indictment dropped, his lawyers said Thursday.
The musician, best known for smash hit "Ice, Ice Baby," was arrested and charged in February with burglary and grand theft.
Robert Van Winkle, his real name, allegedly stole several items from a foreclosed property adjacent to one he was renovating.
His lawyer said the case will be dismissed after 47-year-old Van Winkle agreed to the volunteer hours, calling it "a very good resolution for the case."
"Rob has done charity work pretty much his whole life, and I thought it was a perfect fit," Attorney Bradford Cohen said.
"He is going to do community service hours which he does anyways, and the whole case will be dismissed and he will be able to move forward."
After the please deal, Van Winkle said: "I never had any criminal intent."
At the time of his arrest, the rapper told authorities it was a misunderstanding.
Now a reality television star, Van Winkle was renovating the home from which the property was taken for a television program, "The Vanilla Ice Crew," on the DIY network.
Police said they have returned the stolen items to the rightful owner.