Vanilla Ice Calls the Burglary Charges Against Him a 'Misunderstanding'

The rapper is accused of stealing items from a home near a property he has been renovating

http://www.nbcmiami.com/portableplayer/?cmsID=292545251&videoID=uuCjYpkVVDkB&origin=nbcmiami.com&sec=news&subsec=local&width=600&height=360Vanilla Ice may be in hot water, but he’s playing it cool.

The DIY Network star downplayed the burglary and grand theft charges against him as he left a Florida jail Wednesday, saying it’s much ado about nothing.

“It’s a misunderstanding. It was blown out of proportion,” the former rapper, 47 – whose real name is Robert Van Winkle – told reporters outside the Palm Beach County Jail, according to NBC 6 South Florida.

“It’s sad that good news doesn’t travel this fast,” he added. “It’s just out of proportion, and I wish you guys would focus on all the good things I’ve done It’ll all get cleared up, you’ll see.”

According to the Lantana, Florida, police report obtained by PEOPLE, on Dec. 26, 2014, they received a report of a suspicious incident at 109 No. Atlantic Drive in Lantana dealing with squatters staying at the home. During the investigation, Vanilla Ice appeared, stating he had purchased the house nine days before and no one had permission to be on the property.

On Dec. 27, police learned that the former rapper had not purchased the property. Investigations later revealed that James Loveley had been appointed by the court as a personal representative of the estate of former owner Morgan James Wilbur III, now deceased.

On Jan. 24, Loveley provided a list of property that had been removed, which included furniture, a pool heater and two pieces of artwork.

On Feb. 18, police searched a property owned by Vanilla Ice and recovered most of the items that Loveley had listed as missing. He is currently filming DIY’s The Vanilla Ice Project show near the 109 No. Atlantic Drive property.

According to police, they met with the former rapper and took his statement. He reportedly told the cops he was going to buy the property but “did not have a contract or down payment.” He also said he “found several of the items next to the curb and though they were trash.”

DIY Network has said it is “looking into the matter.”

•Reporting by LINDA MARX