(Photos from Orange County Sheriff's Department)

A California homeless man has been arrested for stealing a woman’s identity and posing as her for 13 years to get medical care. Authorities said he racked more than $100,00 in bills for emergency room treatment and created a “living nightmare” for the victim.

A deputy in  San Clemente, Calif. grew suspicious of the 51-year-old homeless individual who went by the name Perla Serrano when he was  sleeping in a public area in violation of city ordinance and wearing a hospital wristband.

After some investigation, authorities determined Serrano came into possession of identification belonging to a female victim, who is being referred to only as Perla K.  This information allowed Serrano to get a health card in her name.

Authorities have charged Serrano with felony counts of unauthorized use of personal identifying information, false impersonation, second-degree burglary and grand theft.

He is being held on $20,000 bail pending arraignment.