A new RTVE documentary reconstructs Rafael Bueno Latorre's escapes. It gives the families of two murdered police officers their first televised testimony.
In 1984, Rafael Bueno Latorre escaped from Alcalá-Meco prison with two other inmates. Their fake pistols were made from soap.
That was not his first escape. A year earlier, Bueno Latorre had been moved from Burgos prison to Hospital Provincial after staging an injury. Two accomplices entered the hospital and opened fire.
Two National Police officers died. Their names were Jesús Postigo Pérez and Raúl Santamaría.
More than 40 years after Bueno Latorre’s last escape, no official body has confirmed whether he is still alive. RTVE also reports that the crimes attributed to him reached the statute of limitations in 2015.
In 17 fugas, Postigo's daughter and widow describe what the killing did to their lives. Their testimony puts the human cost beside one of Spain's most striking prison escape stories.
RTVE's documentary examines both breakouts. It also looks at the shooting at Hospital Provincial de Burgos and the apparently staged injury that led to Bueno Latorre's transfer from prison.
Those episodes made him one of Spain's most dangerous bank robbers and fugitives for years. El Confidencial describes him as a figure linked to 17 escapes and the reputation of an "enemigo público número uno".
The families spent years seeking institutional recognition for the victims. Their testimony adds what a police account alone would miss.
The documentary’s focus extends beyond the mechanics of the escapes. Its account also addresses the families of the dead officers and the question of institutional recognition for victims, framing the story as one of lasting consequences as well as criminal history.
Macarena León directs 17 fugas. Eduardo Laplaza is responsible for its production. RTVE identifies them as the filmmakers behind the programme.
The investigation brings together former police officials who took part in the search, a forensic psychiatrist who assessed Bueno Latorre for years and a former head of the Guardia Civil Robbery Group.
Former prisoners and historic members of COPEL also speak in the documentary. A former bank robber who knew Bueno Latorre personally discusses their relationship and previously unknown parts of his criminal evolution.
The programme is scheduled for Friday 2 October at 22:55 peninsular time on Televisión Española. It will also be available on RTVE Play after its transmission on La 1 of TVE.
RTVE's programme details list a slightly different time, 22:57 on La 1. The documentary will remain on RTVE Play after its premiere.
