Q: Our two ipads were stolen and we've erased the serial numbers from apple account

See here for > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5668  Lost or Stolen iOS device

Your only option is if you setup Find my iPhone on the devices. If you did, login at iCloud.com and see if they are still online and trackable.

If not, they are gone for good unless someone finds them and hands them into the police.

If the iPad was running iOS 7, the thief/finder will not ever be able to use it.

iCloud: Find My iPhone Activation Lock in iOS 7

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5818http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5818

Apple (and no one else) can not assist (with serial number or iCloud) in finding a lost or stolen iPad.

Report to police along with serial number. Change all your passwords.

These links may be helpful.

How to Track and Report Stolen iPad

http://www.ipadastic.com/tutorials/how-to-track-and-report-stolen-ipadhttp://www.ipadastic.com/tutorials/how-to-track-and-report-stolen-ipad

Reporting a lost or stolen Apple product

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2526http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2526

What to do if your iOS device is lost or stolen

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5668http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5668

iCloud: Locate your device on a map

http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2698http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2698

iCloud: Lost Mode - Lock and Trace

http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2700http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2700

iCloud: Remotely Erase your device

http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2701http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2701

Report Stolen iPad Tips and iPad Theft Prevention

http://www.stolen-property.com/report-stolen-ipad.phphttp://www.stolen-property.com/report-stolen-ipad.php

General steps to follow for a Stolen iPad

http://stolen-ipad.com/http://stolen-ipad.com/

How to recover a lost or stolen iPad

http://ipadhelp.com/ipad-help/how-to-recover-a-lost-or-stolen-ipad/http://ipadhelp.com/ipad-help/how-to-recover-a-lost-or-stolen-ipad/

How to Find a Stolen iPad

http://www.ehow.com/how_7586429_stolen-ipad.htmlhttp://www.ehow.com/how_7586429_stolen-ipad.html

What NOT to do if your iPhone or iPad is lost or stolen

http://www.tomahaiku.com/what-not-to-do-if-your-iphone-or-ipad-lost-or-stolen/http://www.tomahaiku.com/what-not-to-do-if-your-iphone-or-ipad-lost-or-stolen/

Apple Product Lost or Stolen

http://sites.google.com/site/appleclubfhs/support/advice-and-articles/lost-or-sthttp://sites.google.com/site/appleclubfhs/support/advice-and-articles/lost-or-st Len

Oops! iForgot My New iPad On the Plane; Now What?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303459004577362194012634000.htmlhttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303459004577362194012634000.html

If you don't know your lost/stolen iPad's serial number, use the instructions below. The S/N is also on the iPad's box.

How to Find Your iPad Serial Number

http://www.ipadastic.com/tutorials/how-to-find-your-ipad-serial-numberhttp://www.ipadastic.com/tutorials/how-to-find-your-ipad-serial-number

iOS: How to find the serial number, IMEI, MEID, CDN, and ICCID number

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4061http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4061

 Cheers, Tom