Daily Record

A former IKEA employee pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing almost $400,000 in less than a year from his job at a Baltimore County call center.

Suraj S. Samaroo, 25, faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when sentenced Feb. 23 in Baltimore County Circuit Court by Judge Robert E. Cahill Jr. Prosecutors have recommended a 10-year sentence followed by five years’ probation, said Adam Lippe, the assistant state’s attorney who handled the case.

Samaroo, of Middle River, was employed at the IKEA Direct in Rosedale, which handles phone and mail orders. Between September 2007 and August 2008, Samaroo gave himself refunds for purchases made by customers, Lippe said. He doled out the money to family and friends and bought himself a new car, a motorcycle and several crystal pieces, among other goods, Lippe said.

Samaroo made a full confession to police and said his actions were motivated by “pure greed,” Lippe said. He will remain in jail until sentencing, Lippe added.