If they have any value, they can and probably could get stolen by some dirtbag looking to score a fix.
If you had them on both wheels and only one wheel was missing lugs it would seem odd that someone would only "screw" with one wheel, and that a thief would only steal from one source when two are possible.
Just too many variables to pin the blame on anyone or anything.
Just consider it a lesson learned without the major consequences!