The seniors for homecoming back when I was a freshman stole one of those and put it on a bench in my high school's quad back in the day. I can see that being a thing for sure!
You didn't grow up in North Western Indiana did you? Time frame, Ronald McDonald statue, all line up!
Taco Bell doesn't have actual bells anymore because too many were being stolen. Here in Kent Ohio there's a rhino statue in front of Scott Labs that has a chain "leash" on it to prevent theft
Wabeno Wi. has one. They call him Larry the Logroller. Babe the blue ox is a few miles away at Maple Heights Campground in Lakewood, WI