Vanilla Ice arrested on suspicion of Florida burglary

Former rap and home improvement star Vanilla Ice has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and theft in the US state of Florida, police say.

Thursday, February 19, 2015
Vanilla Ice - Robert Van Winkle - is accused of stealing items from a house next to the property he is renovating. (Internet photo)

Former rap and home improvement star Vanilla Ice has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and theft in the US state of Florida, police say.

They say the singer, also known as Robert Van Winkle, is suspected of stealing property near a house he was working on in the town of Lantana.

Police say that some of the stolen items, including furniture and bicycles, were found at his home.

Mr Van Winkle sold 15 million copies of the single Ice Ice Baby in 1990.

He was one of the leading white rappers at the time, but in recent years his singing career has faded.

In 2008 he was arrested for allegedly pushing his wife and in 2001 he spent a night in jail after being arrested following a domestic dispute.

He now stars in a renovation show named the Vanilla Ice Project on DIY Network.

Neither Mr Van Winkle, 47, nor his legal team have commented on his arrest.

Police say that the items he allegedly stole have been returned to the owner of a vacant property next door to the home Mr Van Winkle is renovating.

BBC