MIAMI (REUTERS/AFP) - Rapper Vanilla Ice avoided prosecution on Thursday after agreeing to a plea deal over his arrest on burglary and grand theft charges in Florida in February, local media reported.

The rapper, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, appeared in Palm Beach County Court on Thursday where he agreed to perform 100 hours of community service and pay US$1,333 (S$1,800) to a homeowner who accused him of stealing furniture and pool equipment, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

He allegedly stole several items from a foreclosed property adjacent to one he was renovating for a television programme, The Vanilla Ice Project, on the DIY network.

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.

The musician turned reality television star, who famously rapped that "anything less than the best is a felony" in his 1990s hit song Ice Ice Baby, said at the time of his arrest the situation had been "overblown".

The rapper's home currently is under construction and is the site of his latest venture, The Vanilla Ice Project.

Police said they have returned the stolen items to the rightful owner.