A registered sex offender from Willimantic is facing charges after state police say he was involved in an "alleged under-aged prostitution/trafficking business," and tried to drug a preteen victim.

Police said 38-year-old Devin Quirk was charged with criminal attempt at first-degree sexual assault, risk of injury to a child, patronizing a prostitute and conspiracy to commit trafficking persons.

The investigation began on Nov. 6 when detectives from the computer crimes unit began looking into the alleged business. According to police, during the investigation detectives found that Quirk tried to buy date rape drugs to drug preteen victim.

Quirk was arrested Wednesday. He is currently being held on a $200,000 bond and is due in court Friday.

Quirk is a registered sex offender. According to online records, in 2005 he was convicted of second-degree sexual assault of a minor, and in 2013 he was convicted of third-degree possession of child pornography.

State police were assisted by the Department of Parole in the investigation.

A Connecticut lawmaker, Hartford law enforcement and doctors at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center are asking parents to steer clear of buying look-alike toy guns this holiday season.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D - Connecticut) proposed new legislation to require all look-alike or toy guns to be marked with bright, permanent colors so they’re not mistaken for the real thing. This includes paint guns and BB guns.

"The law requires now that they be equipped with a very brightly colored item at the end. But it’s easily removed," Blumenthal said, demonstrating on an imitation gun.

In Hartford last week, police said a teen stole a car and according to witness accounts, the teen held up a BB gun to the car’s owner. The owner used his legal gun and shot the teen in the jaw.

Over the past two years, police killed 86 people carrying toy guns nationwide, Blumenthal said.

"The legislation should be a no-brainer. We’re not talking about taking guns away from anyone, we’re not even talking about background checks," Blumenthal said.

The burned body of a person believed to be a young man was found on top of a SEPTA Regional Rail train when it pulled into Philadelphia's Center City station during the Friday morning rush hour.

The remains were burned beyond recognition, making it impossible for police to immediately identify the person killed, Philadelphia police said.

The "charred body," as police described it, was found about 7:30 a.m. at Jefferson Station, with the person's legs dangling off the side of the top of the train. 

Investigators do believe the person was 16 to 20 years old.

"The male has severe burns all over his face and body," city Officer Eric McLaurin said in a statement. "The male's clothing and belongings were also burned beyond recognition."

The body was found near the rear of the train in the vicinity of the power lines that connect to overhead the electrical source, police said. The connection between train and SEPTA power is high-voltage and deadly to the touch.

SEPTA did not provide details about the incident, initially describing it as a medical emergency in a tweet.

Delays of up to 20 minutes on Regional Rail lines were initially reported, but by noon, most of the train lines were running close to schedule.

Check back for more details on this breaking story.

At least 235 people were killed when gunmen opened fire and bombed a mosque in Egypt's volatile Sinai Peninsula on Friday. Government officials said 109 more had been injured in the attack — among the deadliest in Egypt's history.

Police sources told the Associated Press that men in four off-road vehicles opened fire on worshippers inside the mosque during a sermon. NBC News could not immediately independently verify that account.

Images from inside the building showed dozens of bodies wrapped in blood-socked cloth lined up on the carpeted floor.

Three police officers told the AP that militants attacked the al-Rawdah mosque in the town of Bir al-Abd, which is located about 25 miles from the North Sinai provincial capital of el-Arish.

While more Americans than ever before have indicated they’ll let their fingertips do the shopping online this year, many people still waited in line on Thanksgiving Day to grab a good deal.

The doors to Westfarms in West Hartford opened at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving day and stayed open until 2 a.m. Friday. The doors reopened at 8 a.m. Friday.

People were ready to burn off some of that Turkey dinner they’d had earlier in the day. Thousands of people packed the place looking for doorbuster deals.

It was a similar scene at Best Buy in Corbin’s Corner, where people got in line the day before in hopes of getting a good deal on electronics.

Deal hunters stormed nearby Best Buy at 5 p.m. after some camped out for 24 hours.

"Friends would bring coffees, hot foods and soups and they were my support group they kept me going," Frankie Bones of New Britain, said.

Fueled also by the lure of savings people checked out the specials at Toys R Us in Manchester Thursday night.

"I just want to look for toys that I want for Christmas," Navian Talbot of Stafford Springs, said.

While more millennials are shopping online NBC Connecticut found a few teens who don’t mind standing in line this holiday season.

"It’s a lot easier, and you can do it from home and you don’t have to come out in the cold, but I come Black Friday shopping for the experience," Ryan Tarko said.

According to the National Retail Federation, shoppers will spend an average of $967 this year. That’s slightly more than last year.

State police have responded to one fatal crash, issued hundreds of tickets and made 22 DUI arrests so far this holiday weekend.

State police holiday enforcement began at midnight on Wednesday, Nov. 22 and runs through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26. Troopers conducted increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints are set up throughout the state during this period.

As of 8 a.m. Friday morning, Connecticut State police have responded to 235 accidents, one of which was fatal, and 33 with injuries.

Troopers have arrested 22 people on DUI charges, issued 311 speeding tickets, 5 seatbelt violations, and issued citations for 696 other moving violations.

In 2016, State Police made a total of 51 DUI arrests, issued 896 speeding violations, 311 seatbelt violations, and 2503 other violations over the Thanksgiving holiday period. There were 392 accidents, one of which was fatal.

A Rhode Island woman was killed in a crash in Killingly on Thanksgiving Day.

Connecticut State Police said 26-year-old Hope Butler of Warwick, Rhode Island, was driving on Route 6 in Killingly near Dark lantern Road when she went off the road and hit a tree. She was rushed to Day Kimball Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information should contact State Police.

Three people were arrested after a police chase on I-95 that began in Westport Saturday.

Westport police said the chase started with a shoplifting incident at the CVS Pharmacy on Post Road in Westport around 1:15 a.m.

Westport officers gave chase to a silver minivan that fled the scene with three suspects inside. The minivan hopped on I-95 south and police broke off the chase at exit 17.

The minivan got off and back on the highway at exit 15, this time pursued by Connecticut State Police. Troopers eventually ended the chase by using spike strikes on the highway between exits 24 and 25. Two of the suspects were arrested then. A third fled on foot but was caught a short time later.

The suspects – two males and one female -have not been identified. They all face charges of sixth-degree larceny and sixth-degree conspiracy to commit larceny. The driver also faces various motor vehicle violations.

All suspects were held on bond and are currently scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 5.

Four people, including a child, were taken to Saint Francis after a crash on Route 2 in Colchester Saturday.

Police said around 1:53 a.m. a Hyundai Sonata traveling on Route 2 near exit 18 went off the road and crashed into an embankment before spinning out and ending up in the trees. Four people inside the vehicle, including a six-year-old girl, were transported to Saint Francis Hospital with minor injuries.

The driver was cited for distracted driving and failure to drive in the proper lane.

A driver was charged with DUI after hitting a Connecticut State Police vehicle on I-91 in Cromwell early Saturday morning, according to Connecticut State Police.

Police said multiple state police and Department of Transportation vehicles were parked along the highway to investigate a fatal crash that occurred around 1:30 a.m.

Just before 5 a.m., an Acura drove around some of the vehicles blocking off the lane, then smashed into an empty state police SUV. No state police or DOT personnel were hurt.

The 29-year-old male driver, who has not been identified, suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital for evaluation. He was arrested and charged with DUI, operating with a suspended license and failure to drive in proper lane. He was held on a $2,500 bond.

A Wethersfield man was killed in a crash on I-91 in Cromwell early Saturday morning.

The crash happened on the Exit 21 on-ramp to I-91 North around 1:30 a.m., according to state police.

Police said that 50-year-old Michael Rogers was traveling north when he veered off the road, through the shoulder and crashed into trees. He suffered fatal injuries.

While state troopers were investigating the fatal crash, another car slammed into a trooper's cruiser that was parked at the accident scene.

No one was in the cruiser and no one was seriously injured in that crash, police said.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information should contact Troop H at 860-534-1000.

After flooding the malls since Thanksgiving, people are now planning to support local shops.

Millions are expected to take part in what has become known as Small Business Saturday.

At Cookshop Plus in West Hartford Friday, Anita Weisburger was preparing for a weekend of shopping.

"We’re here today and we’ll back tomorrow," Weisburger said.

Weisburger will be among the 54 million Americans expected to support Small Business Saturday.

The event started in 2010.

"As a small business, it’s very important. It’s something we promote," Terry Ryan, owner of Cookshop Plus, said.

Ryan says his local store offers benefits you won’t find at big chains and online retailers.

"There is the instant gratification that you actually get it immediately. You can touch and feel it before you actually buy it. You can talk to people in here who are knowledgeable about the product that we are selling," Ryan said.

It’s that level of customer service that is also the pride of Kim Reid who owns Pinwheels Toys & Games in Glastonbury.

"We will walk you through the store and find the right gift for every child in your life," Reid said.

This will be their first holiday season in their new store location.

They plan to take part in raffles and giveaways to help boost Saturday sales.

"We’re really excited. We have been welcomed into Glastonbury with such enthusiasm," Reid said.

Now a big wild card for holiday shopping is the weather. It’s looking nice for this weekend. Business owners say a little snow could help people get in the holiday spirit, but too much discourages them from coming out.

Cities and towns across Connecticut are also supporting their local businesses with events.

In New Haven, the city is offering one hour of free parking every Saturday until December 30 in select spots, and discounted parking for the whole day. For more information, click here.

In Norwich there is the annual Holiday Bazaar at the Holiday Inn, where local businesses and crafters put their products on display for purchase, complete with a visit from Santa. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Info here. 

And in Kent stop by between 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. for the fifth annual Holiday Champagne Stroll, where you can wander shop to shop sipping a glass of the bubbly stuff. More information here. 

On a day that began with sunshine and ended with clouds and rain, reigning gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin was all the light that was needed at Killington.

The 22-year old took second place in the World Cup giant slalom, even briefly holding the lead.

"Going up the chairlift, I had to cover my ears to block out all of the cheering," Shiffrin told NBC Boston of her legion of supporters.

Shiffrin may be the brightest star in skiing, but she is also someone we call one of our own in New England.

She spent some of her middle school and high school years racing and going to school In Vermont.

She is adored like a hometown hero.

"I’m hoping to be like her some day,' said Caitlin Nippis of Weymouth, Massachusetts.

Ironically, the name of he giant slalom trail today?

Superstar.

And that’s what fans witnessed.

Shiffrin is preparing for the 2018 Winter Games in Pyongchang and says she feels older and wiser this time around.

That is good news for U.S. skiing and bad news for everyone else.

Giant slalom isn’t even her best event — she won gold in slalom.

A repeat of that and a repeat of a second in GS, and Shiffrin will go from superstar to living legend.

Connecticut State Police are investigating after a body was found in the woods in Lisbon Saturday.

Police said around 1:40 p.m. a body was located in the woods in the area of 151 River Road. The victim has not been identified and police are investigating the case as an untimely death.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death and assist in the identification process.

The Eastern District Major Crime division is investigating. Anyone with information should contact detectives at Troop E at 860-848-6500 or text TIP711 with any information to 274637. All tips will remain confidential.

The U.S. Navy has identified the three missing sailors unaccounted for after a plane crash in the Philippine Sea, the 7th Fleet said in a statement Saturday.

Lt. Steven Combs, Airman Matthew Chialastri and Airman Apprentice Bryan Grosso have been named as the sailors lost in the C-2A Greyhound crash on Wednesday. Their families have been notified, the Navy said.

Combs, originally from Florida, was part of the Carrier Air Wing Five, which is attached to the USS Ronald Reagan, the aircraft carrier where the plane was headed at the time of the crash.

Grosso, also from Florida, and Chialastri, from Louisiana, were assigned to the USS Ronald Reagan and had also been awarded the National Defense Ribbon.

The search and rescue efforts for the sailors was suspended at 10 a.m. local time Friday (8 p.m. Thursday ET.)

A new distinction for the country's 41st President: George H.W. Bush has become the longest-living President in the country's history.

Bush 41 is 93 years, 166 days old on Saturday, surpassing the 38th President, Gerald Ford who lived to 93 years, 165 days until his death in 2006.

Bush has had several health complications in recent years, requiring hospitalizations in Houston and in Maine. He now relies on a motorized scooter to get around.

The former president appeared in October with the other living U.S. Presidents for a concert benefiting those affected by the natural disasters like Hurricane Irma in Texas and Florida and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

Two other Presidents have reached the 93 year mark—Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter. Reagan died in 2004. In 2016, Carter announced he had skin cancer.

After Bush 41 and Carter, the next living President to make the list is current U.S. President Donald Trump who is 71 years old. The 43rd President, George W. Bush, comes in right behind Trump, separated by just 22 days. Bill Clinton is 66 days younger than Trump.

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The interesting statistic in presidential history was first noticed by a political blogger in high school.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill allowing Russia to register international media outlets as foreign agents — a move largely seen as retaliation against the U.S. for similar crackdowns on Kremlin-funded media outlets, NBC News reported.

Putin signed the bill into law Saturday after the upper chamber of the Russian parliament adopted it Wednesday. The move is seen as a quid pro quo after U.S. officials demanded that state-media outlet Russia Today, or RT, register as a foreign agent with the U.S. Justice Department.

In a statement posted to the embassy's Facebook page, officials accused the U.S. of deliberately hurting the U.S.-Russia relations: "We consider its demand as a wish to eliminate an alternative source of information, which is an unacceptable violation of the international norms of free press."

The DOJ's decision to force the network to register as a Russian agent comes amid increased scrutiny and new revelations about Russia's campaign to influence the outcome of the 2016 election.

Germany has for decades been Europe's pillar of stability, supporting the European Union through economic crises, pressures from immigration and the threat of a resurgent far-right. 

But with Germany's politics now in disarray — and the future of its chancellor Angela Merkel hanging in the balance — Europe risks losing its de facto leader, resulting in a power vacuum across the continent, NBC News reported.

Europe-watchers are contemplating what protracted uncertainty in the country might mean for the E.U. and how it might fare if Merkel does not survive.

Coalition talks broke down last weekend over migration and environmental policy, and though there is now renewed hope of an agreement, Germany finds itself in unusually choppy waters. The country hasn't had a post-election minority government since World War II.

Police have issued a Silver Alert for a missing New Britain man last seen in Middletown.

Family members said 44-year-old Juan Roberto Colon has been missing since Thursday. Police issued the Silver Alert on Friday.

Colon is described as around 5-foot-8, 180 pounds. Family members said he was last seen on Rapallo Avenue in Middletown.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Middletown police at 860-826-3000.

Thousands of people are at Vermont's Killington Resort to catch a glimpse of some of the world's top skiers.

The athletes are hitting the slopes Sunday for day two of the women's Audi FIS Ski World Cup.

The first run for World Cup Slalom started at 10 a.m. Sunday, and the second run begins at 1 p.m.

Many came out Saturday and again Sunday specifically to see former Vermont resident Mikaela Shiffrin.

The 22-year old took second place in the World Cup giant slalom on Saturday, even briefly holding the lead.

"Going up the chairlift, I had to cover my ears to block out all of the cheering," Shiffrin told NBC Boston of her legion of supporters.

Shiffrin may be the brightest star in skiing, but she is also someone we call one of our own in New England.

She spent some of her middle school and high school years racing and going to school In Vermont.

She is adored like a hometown hero.

"I’m hoping to be like her some day,' said Caitlin Nippis of Weymouth, Massachusetts.

Ironically, the name of the giant slalom trail Saturday was Superstar. And that’s what fans witnessed.

Shiffrin is preparing for the 2018 Winter Games in Pyongchang and says she feels older and wiser this time around.

That is good news for U.S. skiing and bad news for everyone else.

Giant slalom isn’t even her best event — she won gold in slalom.

The slalom races will be broadcast on NBC at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26.