Unless, of course, they heard on the news what was on the computers after they stole them....
The delay in reporting the missing data might have aided in keeping the perps from knowing how valuable the info on the computers was. Some criticize the VA for not revealing the loss sooner, but it might have kept the info out of harms way...assuming that it hasn't been discovered.
I'm hoping that works to our advantage. Whoever did this was small-time, amateur. Knowing the full resources of the FBI are bearing down on him, a small-time robber might not want to be in possession of something that hot, and may not take the risk of trying to sell the information.
I think the news didn't make the news for something like 10 days...by which time they would probably had done their usual routine....and even if they did not, IF they were just teens, they would have probably gotten scared sh*tless after the news came out and disposed of the computers....if you're a two-bit burglar you're not gonna be thrilled to know that the FBI has now made your piddling little robbery priority #1.....