Yes, I was thinking the exact same thing. He may have reported the bike missing hoping the police would recognize him and rescue him. Imagine how hopeless he would have felt when the police--the good guys, the powerful guys--wouldn't help him.
According to the article about the missing bike, they did not report Shawn's bike missing. Another bike in the neighborhood was reported missing. After the officer took that report and was leaving, someone told him about Shawn's situaton. The officer then went to speak to the "Devlins." Notice plural?